Wildlands for Wildlife

FORESTSAMERICAN SUMMER 2017 Wildlands for Wildlife STEPPING UP THE SPEED AND SCOPE OF FOREST RESTORATION IN SEVEN KEY ECOSYSTEMS Eddie Bauer Athletes Lynsey Dyer, and Cory Richards, and Eddie Bauer Guide Jake Norton

ONE TREE MATTERS. ONE TREE MAKES A DIFFERENCE. Our founder, Eddie Bauer, spent his entire life encouraging and helping people to get outdoors, educating them on the importance of preserving the natural wonders around them. We continue his legacy of conservation. We’re proud to be a long-standing partner with American Forests in its mission to protect and restore ecosystems Learn more about around the world. Over our 20-year collaboration, Eddie Bauer has The One Tree Initiative helped American Forests plant more than 7 million trees. and how you can donate at #onetree eddiebauer.com/onetree VOL 123 NO 2 CONTENTS SUMMER 2017

Departments 24 16 2 Offshoots A word from our president & CEO

4 Treelines From Washington D.C. to our Facebook community, here’s what we’ve been up to and talking about on the Hill and online. Plus, FOREST FRONTIERS: Jill Jonnes, author of “Urban Forests: A Natural History of Trees and People in the American Cityscape,” shares lessons learned and experiences enjoyed while writing her new book. NEW ONLINE: Learn why our Facebook community believes 32 40 wildlife conservation is so important. WASHINGTON OUTLOOK: A look at the impact of the Congressional Review Act on the environment and the dangers of “modernizing” the Endangered Species Act.

40 Soaring Under the Radar By Chuck Graham Follow along on the journey to create a famous California trail, from vision to reality, and discover the road still ahead.

46 Earthkeepers Features Conservation Begins with Your Boots on the Ground 16 24 32 Read the inspiring story of the impact of one woman, Losing American Woodland Brenda Richardson, on an Ground Forests’ Wildflowers entire community within By Jared Lloyd Washington, D.C. Wildlands on the Edge Discover the intensifying for Wildlife By Michael Adamovic 48 Last Look threats facing one of Initiative How the future of the Gorgeous photography from our nation’s most beautiful, but fragile, Terri Chapman By Eric Sprague, Justin unique ecosystems: wildflowers beneath the Hynicka and Jeff Lerner maritime forests. canopy relies on the health Learn about American of our forests. Forests’ new initiative to restore wildlife habitat in seven different regions

THIS PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: SHUTTERSTOCK; JARED LLOYD; MICHAEL ADAMOVIC; CHUCK GRAHAM MICHAEL ADAMOVIC; LLOYD; JARED SHUTTERSTOCK; LEFT: FROM TOP CLOCKWISE THIS PAGE, across North America.

AMERICANFORESTS.ORG SUMMER 2017 | 1 offshoots

Right now, there are more than Saving Forest Habitat 1,600 species listed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as endangered or BY SCOTT STEEN threatened in the U.S. Eighty percent of plant and animal terrestrial biodi- I FEEL ALIVE IN THE WOODS and and shuffles also remind me that I am versity occurs in forests, which means wholly present. The smell of damp a visitor here. Most humans are. We the vast majority of land animals live in earth, the leaf-filtered light, may be a part of nature and forests. But, a significant amount of for- the distant cracks and dependent on it, but never est habitat here in the U.S. is in danger. shuffles of hidden creatures quite as truly or deeply as the As a result, the wildlife that live in these going about their daily lives wildlife that live, feed, mate, places are disappearing. — each demand my attention, give birth, raise their young In the Southeastern U.S., gopher wake up my senses and clear and die here. They are utterly tortoises that live in longleaf pine for- away the mundane concerns dependent on these places ests are being buried alive to make way of my indoor world. and at our mercy — as either for development. In the lower 48 states, And, while the forest always works caretakers or destroyers of the ecosys- grizzly bears have recovered slightly its magic on me, those distant cracks tems in which they live. from their historic lows, but only about

Our Wildlands for Wildlife initiative in the Lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas is working to restore habitat for the endangered ocelot

2 | SUMMER 2017 AMERICANFORESTS.ORG EDITORIAL STAFF Publisher Scott Steen Editorial Director Lea Sloan Managing Editor Ashlan Bonnell Contributing Editor 1,800 remain. In South “All of these places in the country; and the Christopher Horn Texas, critical bird Central Appalachians’ Editorial Assistants are remarkable. Doyle Irvin and ocelot habitat is red spruce forests that Suah Cheong being cut into smaller All are threatened. support endangered Art Direction and Design and smaller chunks, wildlife, while also Brad Latham And, all need American Forests (ISSN 0002-8541) is published replaced with farms acting as a carbon quarterly by American Forests, 1220 L St. NW, and housing. While the human intervention storage powerhouse. Suite 750 Washington, DC 20005. Periodicals postage paid at Washington, D.C., total amount of forest to bring them back During my six years and additional mailing offices. tree canopy in the U.S. at American Forests, I POSTMASTER: Send address changes to to health, along with American Forests, 1220 L St. NW, Suite 750 remains stable, healthy, have had the privilege Washington, DC 20005. intact forest habitat is the wildlife populations of visiting many of American Forests’ mission is to restore threatened forest ecosystems and inspire people declining for wildlife they support.” these systems, seeing to value and protect urban and wildland forests. across the nation. first-hand both their (202) 737-1944 To answer these splendor and the chal- www.americanforests.org challenges, American Forests has lenges they face. I’ve walked through AMERICAN FORESTS launched a new initiative designed fire-devastated forests in the Sierra BOARD OF DIRECTORS to deepen and expand our work in Nevada Mountains, tens of thousands Bruce Lisman, Chair Private investor, Shelburne, VT seven ecologically important and of acres of once thriving habitat laid to Richard Kabat, Vice Chair threatened forest ecosystems in North waste. I saw more bird species in a few Kabat Company, Washington, DC America. I am incredibly excited about days in the Lower Rio Grande Valley Rod DeArment, Treasurer Covington & Burling LLP, Washington, DC this program. than I had in my life, but also witnessed Ann Nichols, Immediate Past Chair The Wildlands for Wildlife initia- the agriculture and development Chevy Chase, MD tive focuses on these seven critical incursions that have left the forest Scott Steen, President & CEO (ex officio) regions. Each of these systems provide habitat broken. I’ve seen the valiant American Forests, Washington, DC Zim Boulos key environmental functions to their attempts of our partners north of Office Environment Services, Jacksonville, FL regions, support one or more threat- Yellowstone to find and grow disease- Rob Bourdon ened or endangered wildlife species resistant whitebark pine, a keystone Linkin Park, Sherman Oaks, CA Jeff Elliott and sustain countless more plant and species in the region and an important Iridian Asset Management, Westport, CT animal species. food source for grizzlies. Donna Dabney During the next several years, All of these places are remarkable. The Conference Board, New York, NY William Hazelton Wildlands for Wildlife will help restore All are threatened. And, all need human Chubb Group, New York City, NY forest habit in the Southeastern U.S.’s intervention to bring them back to Elisa Rapaport longleaf pine ecosystem, home to both health, along with the wildlife popula- Rapaport Family Charitable Trust, Rockville Centre, NY the gopher tortoise and endangered tions they support. Jonathan Silver red-cockaded woodpecker; the Lower With the Wildlands for Wildlife Greenbanc Global, LLC, Washington, DC Rio Grande Valley in Texas, a biodiver- initiative, American Forests will make Robert Steinberg sity hotspot that supports hundreds of long-term commitments to protect Steinberg Family Foundation, Greenwich, CT Mary Wagner migratory bird and butterfly species, and restore these forest ecosystems to U.S. Forest Service (Retired), Ogden, UT along with the endangered ocelot; health — through coalition-building, the whitebark pine ecosystem in the research and planning, advocacy, Northern Rockies and Cascades and large-scale tree planting and other on- its threatened grizzly bear population; the-ground restoration activities. You the wildfire- and drought-plagued will be hearing a lot about these efforts Sierra Nevada Mountains of California; in the coming years. We hope we can the Hawaiian Islands, which are now count on your continued support. known as the extinction capital of the U.S.; the jack pine ecosystem in the Northern Great Lakes, home of the Kirt- land’s warbler, one of the rarest birds treelines INFORMATION TO AMUSE, ENLIGHTEN AND INSPIRE

FOREST FRONTIERS Jill Jonnes Author of “Urban Forests: A Natural History of Trees and People in the American Cityscape”

JILL JONNES is an author and historian, with a Ph.D. in American history from Johns Hopkins University, whose books tell the stories of visionaries who developed and integrated new kinds of infrastructure into cities. In “Urban Forests” Jonnes writes about the people who created lush urban tree canopies, and the trees they introduced — what we now understand to be green infrastructure. As Jonnes learned how essential trees are to city living, she founded the Baltimore Tree Trust and is very proud of that, as the organization has already planted more than 1,000 street trees in once-barren neighborhoods.

What led you to want to write a book about urban forests? Knowing that almost 80 percent of Americans live in cities, and with climate change upon us, I felt we all needed to know the story of our urban forests. After all, trees in cities are one of the few ways to cool the air. Most of us are very aware of the built urban environment, but we experience the equally important grown urban environment intuitively. And, as we now know through accumulating science, urban trees do far, far more than create shade. City trees are Jill in front of outstanding multi- King Elmer in Lanesborough, tasking civil servants: Mass.

saving energy, cleaning ZETTERSTROM TOM

4 | SUMMER 2017 AMERICANFORESTS.ORG polluted air, absorbing storm water, plant trees. Like all local raising property values and, I suspect, green groups, we have most importantly, promoting human numerous partnerships well-being. And, equally important, and those are very gratify- they make our cities beautiful. So, my ing. So, perhaps my non- goal was to tell the history and stories of author self would have the urban forests that surround us and been a green activist. open people’s eyes, but most of all, to inspire citizens to activism. What is the most surprising thing that What do you think is the biggest you have learned issue facing urban forests today? or discovered while The fact that too many urban experts working on your book, — including environmentalists — have “Urban Forests”? never even heard the phrase “urban How few of us know that forests.” They are not aware of the a major tree extinction ground-breaking science that shows in going on. Since 2002, all the “ecosystem services” that urban the emerald ash borer has RON SOLOMON trees deliver. Nor are they familiar spread from Michigan to Jill planting on N. Linwood Avenue in Baltimore with the growing body of public health another 34 states, killing research that confirms how essential hundreds of millions trees are to human well-being. Until of native ash trees. Arborists expect Meyer and others. I just assumed their those who plan, design, build and that, in time, the ash borer will cross home and gardens had long since dis- maintain cities recognize the vital the Rockies, spread to the remaining appeared to development. But, a Forest importance of trees and nature in states and wipe out all the nation’s ash Service research librarian informed trees. To prevent further such me otherwise. tragedies, a group of forestry The Japanese-style house and the Most of us are very aware of the built scientists are proposing leg- immediate garden are now an old- urban environment, but we experience islation called Tree-SMART fashioned nursery school. With per- the equally important grown urban Trade that would end all use of mission, I arrived very early one lovely wooden pallets in global trade. April morning, before the children ar- environment intuitively. IKEA already uses only paper, rived for school, and wandered the qui- so it is a doable change. et grounds. I had no trouble imagining the cityscape, trees will always be an Fairchild here enjoying his botanicals under-funded afterthought, rather Do you have a favorite story from wonders: Towering old Yoshino cherry than the integral part of cities that your time writing the book? trees were in clouds of bloom, while they should be. After spending eight Yes! One of the most endearing and with each further foray beyond the years working on my book, “Urban charming of the early tree evangelists house I encountered another rarity (all Forests,” I have concluded that we was the U.S. Forest Service’s Plant- had small ID plaques): a Turkish cedar do not need just to plant more trees, Explorer-in-Chief David Fairchild. He from 1909, a Chinese dove tree from we actually need to start pulling up and his wife Marian Bell (daughter of 1906, an oriental oak from 1910, and a concrete and retrofitting our cities Alexander Graham Bell) had a home magnificent Nikko maple planted in with nature. on a big piece of land they called “In 1908. Of course, Fairchild is long gone, The Woods” up Connecticut Avenue in dead more than 60 years. And yet, here If you weren’t an author, what Washington, D.C. There, they delighted were his arboreal treasures shading would you be? Why? in growing some of America’s first his house and the happy games of a I started the nonprofit Baltimore Tree Japanese ornamental cherry trees and new generation. A lovely experience. Trust, and I quite enjoy the organizing many rare tree specimens brought

TOM ZETTERSTROM TOM work in the neighborhoods where we back by famed China explorer Frank

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Azuero spider monkey AEP

PROJECT SHOWCASE performed a GIS analysis to determine the ideal locations to reforest based on ecological and social characteristics, How Panamanians and Trees thus creating a corridor that focused Are Saving Each Other the group’s efforts on certain areas of the peninsula. LOCATED on Panama’s Pacific coast, the made up of nearly 400 privately “By connecting strategic gaps in for- Azuero Peninsula has been populated by owned properties. est cover along streams, we allow spider humans for more than 12,000 years. For “The biological corridor program monkeys to roam further,” Metzel says, much of its history, it has served as home came from this idea that the Azuero Pen- “which enables them to have greater ac- to a plethora of diverse wildlife species. insula is heavily deforested,” says AEP cess to food sources and habitat.” But, unfortunately, after decades of cattle Co-Founder and Director Ruth Metzel. At the same time, AEP’s efforts ranching, all that remains of a once-lush “Roughly 7 percent of the peninsula is are improving water quality, reducing tropical dry forest are small scattered now covered in forest, compared to what erosion for local farmers, protecting patches. The deforestation here has also was once the majority.” watersheds and contributing to put wildlife species, like the Azuero spi- Using an initial survey that indicat- Panama’s national reforestation der monkey (Ateles geoffroyi azuerensis), ed where remaining populations of the initiative, the Alliance for One Million under threat. Only found in this particu- Azuero spider monkey existed, AEP Hectares. Since they became members lar region, the Azuero spider monkey has made it onto the International Union for Azuero landscape Conservation of Nature’s list of critically endangered subspecies. In support of efforts to protect the Azuero spider monkey and restore its dwindling habitat, American Forests is partnering with The Azuero Earth Proj- ect (AEP) — a “living laboratory” that combines science and fieldwork with community outreach to reforest and promote sustainability in the area. In collaboration with local landowners, AEP is reforesting a biological corridor more than 75 miles in length,

within an area of nearly 25,000 hectares AEP

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of the alliance last year, they have PROJECT SHOWCASE few. These are just the positives that the strived to become a model for trees provide all on their own. There is an other organizations that aim to Doubling Down entire extra echelon of advantages on top conduct riparian reforestation, of that, when a community organizes to promote sustainability and on Urban Forests invest its own sweat and effort as well. restore watersheds. “We have seen wonderful communi- Over the years, AEP’s capa- DETROIT. Oakland. Cleveland and ty-building as a result of these projects,” bilities and impacts have grown Miami. Hartford, and Atlanta. What do says Rich. “Not only have neighbors, tremendously. Their initial plan these cities have in common? They all local businesses, community groups was simply to put more trees in the have benefited from American Forests’ and Bank of America employees joined ground, but their partnership with Community ReLeaf program, which has together to help plant trees, but we’ve American Forests has equipped improved the health of 16 cities across also seen a stronger community grow them with the ability to track the United States. Begun in 2013 as a out of these connections.” survival rates in their plots and partnership between American Forests, Bank of America’s support of the consequently grasp a more solid Bank of America and the U.S. Forest environment contributes holistically to understanding of their work. Service, Community ReLeaf has grown these efforts, providing not just financing But reforestation is just one into a nationwide program that impacts but also motivating its own employees to component of the AEP model. the daily lives of local residents. take part in the plantings. On top of this, AEP’s reforestation activities “There is a certain immediate grati- the company has doubled down in cities are rooted in years of collaboration fication that comes from planting a tree like Detroit and Miami, reinvesting again with rural Azuero communities. and connecting in your local community,” and again in the local infrastructure and Since 2010, they have partnered says Rich Brown, building long-term with teachers, who also act as Bank of America’s local capacity for community leaders, to educate the Senior Vice President managing those urban students who will become future for their Environmen- forests. Part of the Azuero landowners and their par- tal, Social and Gover- inspiration for this ents on the importance of protect- nance group. As part comes from the cities ing the Azuero spider monkey and of Bank of America’s embracing American its dry forest home. Once people $125 billion envi- Forests and Bank of take an interest in protecting local ronmental business America’s efforts. species, they become active part- initiative, Community “These are cities ners in AEP’s planting programs. ReLeaf is part of its where there is a strong Metzel says that these com- strategy to contribute Rich Brown commitment at the munity members’ passion for trees to its goals of a greener community level as serves as a constant inspiration. future — it’s not just about immediate well as the city leader level,” says Rich. She hopes that more people across gratification. “True satisfaction,” Rich He understands what kind of dividends the globe mirror their commitment asserts, comes from “the long-term com- comes from that kind of strong commit- to protecting and restoring forests. munity benefits of that tree.” ment, going on to say, “I have four large “There’s this misconception that The initial attraction to this collabo- maple trees that line the sidewalk in we should do good for the environ- ration, for each partner, was that both front of my home, and our entire neigh- ment for the environment’s sake, but American Forests and Bank of America borhood is filled with similar trees. I am really, there’s a huge human element were driven to implement a data-driven, the beneficiary of those who came before to this,” says Metzel. “Each one of us, scientifically vetted initiative to improve me and had the vision and wisdom to as citizens, spiritual beings, parents low- and middle-income communities, know the value of urban trees. Commu- and as sons and daughters, needs to an initiative emphasizing aid with a nity ReLeaf is providing that vision and be thinking about what our respon- long-term impact and fostering com- wisdom for generations to come in cities sibilities are.” munity involvement. across America. How cool is that?” Every tree is a vehicle for carbon stor- Suah Cheong was American Forests’ age and water purification, but urban for- Doyle Irvin contributes to American spring communications intern ests, in particular, have the added rewards Forests’ magazine and Loose Leaf blog, and is a rising junior at American of cooling heat islands, enhancing safety, and is passionate about protecting the University, studying communications immediately filtering vehicular smog and environment and investing in the future and psychology. beautifying the streets — to name just a of our planet.

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CORPORATE PARTNER PROFILE systems that have benefited many, many LightStream has partnered with millions of creatures, great and small, American Forests since 2013. In the last A Thousand from the ground up. year alone, LightStream’s support has A national online lender and division helped American Forests plant signifi- Acres and of SunTrust Bank, LightStream has al- cant numbers of trees in longleaf pine ways been in tune with the environment, projects in Alabama and Virginia. These Counting according to Julie Olian, LightStream’s restored ecosystems can support nearly Vice President of Communications. 600 plant and animal species, half of DID YOU KNOW that within a single “We plant a tree for every loan we which are considered rare, more than acre of forest, as many as 425 million fund,” says Julie. “Supporting the envi- 100 are at-risk and 30 are threatened or animals may be working for a living? ronment is part of our DNA.” endangered, including the gopher tor- Granted, those are mostly tiny arthro- Many of LightStream’s employees toise, who makes generous burrows for pods, on and under the forest floor, but lead active outdoor lives and enjoy camp- its home that are then shared by as many they are neverthe- ing, hiking and as 360 other species. less essential to the other recreational Another project supported by Light- health of the forest adventures. Stream is the habitat of the extremely that nurtures the Given that, and the rare Kirtland’s warbler, which nests in birds and mam- company’s strong very dense jack pine stands in areas of mals that we know and treasure. environmental values, LightStream the Northern Great Lakes. LightStream’s Our corporate partner LightStream looked for a partner whose mission, work investment there has paid the best kind recently celebrated the restoration of and reputation were a fit — and found a of dividends. Habitat restoration for this their 1,000th acre of forest, restoring eco- match with American Forests. beautiful songbird, while still endan-

Joan and Mike Diggs DONOR PROFILE fishing, swimming and exploring,” Mike says. Joan and Mike While some of Joan’s fondest childhood memories are of vacationing in Diggs the outdoors. “When I was a teenager, my par- Joan and Mike Diggs are from a west- ents took us to Steamboat Springs, ern Chicago suburb called Burr Ridge, Colo. to ski and to stand on top of a a Tree-City-USA-awarded village mountain and revel in the beauty.” named after the burr oak. Whether Joan says. “The scent of a pine forest rooted in their hometown pride, in the winter is amazing!” through hiking, “glamping” or simply Although the Diggs have always taking in the scenery around them, the been cognizant of the close connection Diggs make it a point to incorporate between the health of the forest and nature into their lives. the overall health of the planet, learning “We have been blessed all of about the devastation of forests around our lives to live within a 15-minute the globe served as a wakeup call for drive from the Cook County Forest them to take action. Living through the Preserve, which features several lakes, acid rain scare in the ‘70s, where emis- abundant wildlife and birds of every sions from Midwestern utilities caused species,” they say. damage to lakes and forests, made For both Joan and Mike, their love Joan and Mike realize that forest preser- and appreciation of nature goes back vation is an urgent issue. Learning more to their childhood experiences. recently about the pests and diseases “From the age of 12, me and my that have been harming trees reminded buddies would ride our bikes to the Diggs that they must continue to the nearest forest preserve lake for fight for forests. LAURA DIGGS LAURA

8 | SUMMER 2017 AMERICANFORESTS.ORG gered, has brought the species back from CHAMPION TREE SHOWCASE the brink of extinction to now have a vi- able chance for survival as a critical piece of the fabric of that ecosystem. Serbian Spruce “We support American Forests SPECIES NAME: Serbian Spruce, Picea because their efforts are meaningful to Omorika the LightStream team, gratifyingly to our customers, and most of all, because it’s LOCATION: Plain City, Ohio the right thing to do,” says Julie. CIRCUMFERENCE: 57 inches HEIGHT: 64 feet CROWN SPREAD: 21 feet TOTAL POINTS: 126 DID YOU KNOW? The Serbian spruce is considered NOMINATED: 2015 an important ornamental tree for its NOMINATED BY: Todd Wurschmidt ability to grow in a diverse range of soils, including alkaline, clay, acid and sandy soil — though it prefers moist, drained loam.

So, when Father’s Day 2015 was just around the corner, Joan knew exactly what to get her husband, Mike. In lieu of something more traditional, Joan and her two daughters decided to give the Gift of Trees, the perfect present given the family’s long history of loving forests. “How could you pass up an organization that is willing to plant 200 trees in my name on the side of mountain?” Mike says. Since then, the Diggs have continued to plant trees with American Forests, becoming Sequoia Circle members following their participation on American Forests’ trip to Rocky Mountain National Park in the fall of 2016. While the Diggs believe that, while it is ultimately up to Mother Nature to run her course, they are committed to protecting and restoring our forests for the health of us all. “Trees produce oxygen, and we all need oxygen to live! The overall health of the planet is dependent upon the health of the forest,” they say. TODD WURSCHMIDT TODD

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The Stream Protection Rule protected several hundred miles of streams and waterways, and the forests they run through, from toxic byproducts like lead and arsenic produced by mining and drilling operations

WASHINGTON OUTLOOK The Congressional Review Act: Congress Putting Our Forests in Jeopardy

THIS CONGRESS is utilizing the Before this session, the CRA was suc- produced by mining and drilling opera- Congressional Review Act (CRA) cessfully used only once in 2001, over- tions; and, second, the Bureau of Land more than ever before. The CRA, turning an Occupational Safety and Management (BLM) Planning 2.0 passed in 1996, grants Congress the Health Administration rule passed Rule, which helped shorten the formal power to disapprove of any regula- during the Clinton Administration. and lengthy land use planning process tion made by a federal agency, in a Since the beginning of the 115th Con- and provided predictability to all stake- gress in January 2017, holders. The BLM rule expanded the there have been more chances for public suggestions on the The purpose of the ESA is to protect and than 80 “resolutions of management of public lands, especially recover imperiled species and the ecosystems disapproval” intro- those who live in the western U.S. upon which they depend. duced in the House of and in close proximity to these lands. Representatives. A third resolution protecting wolves Two resolutions and bears in Alaska’s wildlife refuges significantly shortened legislative that directly affect our forests have from extreme hunting is waiting for process, so long as it’s considered by passed both houses of Congress and his signature. Now, that these “resolu- Congress within 60 legislative days have been signed by President Trump: tions of disapproval” have been signed, of its implementation. Due to the First, the Stream Protection Rule, the agencies cannot issue a new rule to legislative calendar, that means any which protected several hundred cover these issues that is “substantially Obama Administration regulations miles of streams and waterways, and the same.” Congress must enact a new dating back to June 13, 2016 could be the forests they run through, from law on the issue for the agency to be repealed by members of Congress. toxic byproducts like lead and arsenic allowed to regulate it again.

10 | SUMMER 2017 AMERICANFORESTS.ORG Endangered Trump Administration’s Species Act: FY2018 Budget: Clear-Cutting “Modernizing” Our Forest Programs Is Code for ON MARCH 16, 2017, the Trump Administration released its FY2018 budget. Dismantling Looking to offset a $54 billion increase in defense spending, draconian cuts were proposed across agencies which would put our forests at risk. With a 21 THIS FEBRUARY, the Senate Com- percent cut to Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Forest Service, a 12 per- mittee on Environment and Public cent cut to the Department of Interior and a 31 percent cut to the Environmen- Works held a hearing on “Modernizing tal Protection Agency, our nation’s forests, national parks and national wildlife the Endangered Species Act (ESA).” refuges are in jeopardy, along with our clean water and clean air. Some senators came to the conclu- The 21 percent proposed cut to the Department of Agriculture harms rural sion that the ESA is inherently broken America and our forests, both wildland and urban. If the 21 percent is evenly because only a handful of species have distributed across the agency, it would mean an approximate $1.5 billion cut been fully recovered and delisted. The to the U.S. Forest Service. The cost of wildfire suppression already consumes reality is that 98 percent of species more than 50 percent of the U.S. Forest Service budget forcing even deeper cuts listed have been stabilized, kept from in other programs to make up the difference. This means huge reductions to going extinct and placed on the long restoration, greening our cities and limits access to recreation. These cuts will path to recovery. not only deter the U.S. Forest Service in fulfilling its mission, they will also pre- The purpose of the ESA is to vent millions of dollars going to state forest agencies, which rely heavily on such protect and recover imperiled species federal support. If a wildfire suppression budget fix does not pass this year, the and the ecosystems upon which they U.S. Forest Service will again have to transfer funds from other program areas to depend. To recover a species often cover the costs. Borrowing funds from programs that already have a 21 percent requires addressing the immediate reduction is unsustainable. threats and then rebuilding habitat within the ecosystem, a process that can take decades. The slow pace of recovery for many species is also ham- list species in the first place, Congress Throughout its history, the ESA has pered by lack of resources, with the should provide more resources to pre- been frequently cited internationally ESA chronically underfunded given ventative programs like the State and as the gold standard for conservation its ambitions goals. To avoid having to Tribal Wildlife Grants Program. policy because of its comprehensive approach that not only stops further harm to species by listing them, but also protects and restores their habitat. American Forests will continue advocating for protection of endangered species and the ESA. ACRYPTOZOO VIA FLICKR ACRYPTOZOO Rebecca Turner writes from Washington, D.C. and is American Forests’ senior director of programs and policy. Spring policy interns Austin Bosworth, a junior at College of the Holy Cross, and Maverick Ryan, a sophomore at American University, also contributed.

The purpose of the ESA is to protect and recover imperiled species and the ecosystems upon which they depend, like the Kirtland’s warbler

AMERICANFORESTS.ORG SUMMER 2017 | 11 Losing Ground BY JARED LLOYD

THE WHOLE PLACE FEELS TROPICAL. Standing in the shade of the canopy, yet filling my lungs with the tang of salt that perpetually hangs in the air here, I consider this for a moment. It’s got to be the woody vines, something that the U.S. tends to be starkly lacking in. Lianas the size of forearms cascade from canopy to forest floor weaving together a phantasmagoric landscape — more Panama than North Carolina. A quick mental inventory of plants reassures me of my location, however: gnarled and An aerial view over Shackleford Banks twisted live oaks, eastern red cedars, yaupon holly and the lianas looking east toward Cape Lookout Bight themselves — the native muscadine grape, Vitis rotundifolia. and the lighthouse

12 | SUMMER 2017 AMERICANFORESTS.ORG AMERICANFORESTS.ORG SUMMER 2017 | 13 Loosing Ground

I’m still in the Carolinas. I’m on Ocracoke Island in a maritime forest that is dripping with as much history as it is with salt spray. Western civilization crashed into these shores some 450 years ago as the barrier islands that make up the Outer Banks of North Carolina bore the weight of both Spanish incursions and England’s first attempts at colonization in the New World. This particular patch of forest is best known for a captain by the name of Edward Teach —maybe you know this man by a different name. He went by the alias of Blackbeard.

LIFE ON A SANDBAR Born on the sands of a landscape in constant flux, where axioms such as “change is the only constant” take on meaning more geological than phil- osophical in nature, the very existence of these maritime forests is a testimony to the adaptability and perseverance of life itself. These islands are not volcanic mounts or the remnants of ancient reefs. They are little more than sandbars. Dig as you may to find something solid, other than the remains of one of the more than 2,000 shipwrecks along this coast, and your labor will find purchase

Left: Live oak stumps line the foreshore of many of North Carolina's beaches and are the remenants of maritime forests that once ran along the soundside of the island before the island migrated overtop of them. The wave action of the ocean exposes the ancient stands of forests.

roll across the landscape, albeit at a glacial pace, swallowing everything in their path. It can wash away with the passing of a single storm, leaving inlets complete with navigable waters where a seemingly stable patch of island stood literally the day before. And, there is the against nothing larger than a grain of sand. movement of the islands themselves, a phenomenon Herein lies the problem of life on a sandbar, as known blandly as island migration. so many bumper stickers proclaim: sand moves. Imagine, if you will, a landscape in constant It blows in the wind. It is removed and deposited motion. A world caught between the powers of by waves and water. It builds on these islands into wind and waves, in a dance with two of the most

towering living dunes, known as medanos, which relentless forces on Earth. But, the results are not LLOYD JARED BY ALL PHOTOS

14 | SUMMER 2017 AMERICANFORESTS.ORG And, a starving people are a Above: A small Imagine, if you will, a landscape in constant motion. people easily conquered. break in the protective wall of A world caught between the powers of wind When we speak of maritime live oaks that buffers forests, really, we speak of the maritime forest and waves, in a dance with two of the most salt — that which puts the from salt spray. This break is part relentless forces on Earth. maritime in maritime forests. of the trail system This substance, known in geek that winds through speak as sodium chloride, is Springer's Point on Ocracoke Island. the slow and steady weathering of mountains. the Darwinian agent at work upon these forests, the This is a landscape that is being rolled over top of ruling body that governs all, constantly shaping and itself in a steady march to the west. evolving its subjects to its cruel will. And, then there is the salt. Salt is the bond that connects this maritime Upon sacking the city of Carthage during the forest with the sea as it perpetually bathes the Third Punic War in 146 BC, the Roman general island, day in and day out. In a land of hurricanes Scipio ordered his army to salt the earth as a and nor’easters, these islands, and their associ- final punishment to the city that he laid bare. ated forests, inevitably find themselves fully Such was a practice that saturates the history of baptized in the ocean from time to time. But, warfare. It was the ultimate insult. Salt chemi- more importantly is the aerosol form, freed from cally scorches the earth, ensuring that it would its prison of water by the rolling of waves, salt is be some time before crops could be grown again. set loose upon the winds to corrode and burn at

ALL PHOTOS BY JARED LLOYD JARED BY ALL PHOTOS Without crops, cities could not feed themselves. will whatever it may fall upon.

AMERICANFORESTS.ORG SUMMER 2017 | 15 A stand of loblolly All of this makes for a forest of impossibilities. MORE THAN A RISING TIDE pines and live oaks They should not be here. They should not grow Today, these forests face yet another challenge. that once stood at the edge of the here. A small handful of salt-adapted grasses and As if the odds of survival were not already forest 10 years ago, shrubs — maybe. But, not a forest. stacked against them, industrial civilization has are now stranded Yet, here they are. Standing in patchwork, tossed another variable into the equation: sea in the water as the island has eroded sprinkled across the islands behind ancient level rise born of climate change. And, it is the away around them dunes, sprawling out across wider swaths of land question of how these now heavily fragmented and providing for one of the most unique types of forests will survive in the face of rising sea levels forests in the eastern half of the United States. that has brought me to my old stomping grounds But, this uniqueness has a price — as unique- on the Outer Banks. ness always does. Given the unstable nature of The problem with asking questions about mar- barrier islands, the hurricanes, the nor’easters, itime forests, however, as I would quickly learn, is the shifting sands and the fact that the real estate that we actually do not know much about them to is some of the most desired and expensive in the begin with. According to the National Biological U.S., these maritime forests also stand as one of Service, which is overseen by the U.S. Department the rarest habitats in the country. of the Interior, despite being one of the rarest for-

16 | SUMMER 2017 AMERICANFORESTS.ORG Loosing Ground

Yet, here they are. Standing in patchwork, sprinkled across the islands behind ancient dunes, sprawling out across wider swaths of land and providing for one of the most unique types of forests in the eastern half of the United States.

Back in 1995, it was determined that only 2,500 hectares of undeveloped maritime forest remained — nearly 60 percent of which was not protected and open for development. At the time, the National Biological Service predicted that the remaining unprotected stands of maritime forest would most The skeletol likely become fully developed by the year 2000. remains of a live That year has come and gone. And, while North oak long-since flooded out by Carolina’s Wildlife Resource Commission has long rising waters sits since declared that maritime forests are one of the silhoutted against most endangered habitat types in the state, and that the pastel colors at the edge of land acquisition efforts should be a top priority, our twilight in the general ignorance of these forests marches on. Currituck Sound

ests in the country, they are also one of the least studied biological communities. And thus, much like the forests themselves, published studies pertaining specifi- cally to maritime forests are also rare. So, when it comes to the question of the impact of sea level rise on maritime forests, I am met with the same response from I chatted with Misty Buchanan from the university researchers to reserve managers: “we North Carolina Natural Heritage Program about just don’t know.” this fact. Given the rarity of these forests, I This is concerning. In North Carolina, we do not wanted to know why we didn’t know more even know how much of these forests remain intact. about them.

AMERICANFORESTS.ORG SUMMER 2017 | 17 Loosing Ground

“Maritime forests don’t tend to be a welcom- ing environment,” she said. “Ticks, mosquitoes, chiggers, dense vegetation, tangles of vines, this is a hard environment to study.”

THE EYE OF THE STORM Making my way out of the forest and onto the estuarine beach that fringes Springer’s Point on Ocracoke Island, I couldn’t help but notice the odd shape to the trees. It’s like a giant wall of impenetrable live oak. Only, this palisade was a giant wedge. Those individuals growing closest to the water’s edge are also the Debris sits as high as 3 and 4 feet up into the lower shortest, with branches just a couple of feet above the branches of trees in the forest sand. Moving inward, the wedge grows in height as the trees become taller thanks to the protection from Continuing along the beach, I rounded the point Below: This old live oak is growing salt spray offered by the shorter stunted trees along to encounter a forest of death. Live oaks and red along the bank the outer edge. Behind this wall, the entire diversity cedars stood in various stages of demise and a wrack of what was once of the maritime forest is dependent upon this impen- line of debris could be found pushed deep into the the Old Currituck Inlet, which was the etrable wedge of live oak leaves for its existence. forest. On the edge, nothing lived. The herbaceous original dividing Debris hung from the branches 3 or 4 feet vegetation and grasses were matted flat in the line between above the ground. Most of this was dried eel direction that the water came pouring in. Live oaks, North Carolina and Virginia. The grass, a type of submergent vegetation that which hold thick waxy green leaves throughout the low-lying area that makes up the estuarine grass beds below the year, for which they derive their name, were bare is characterized by water’s surface. This debris is the consequence and skeleton-like. Eastern red cedars stood dying. dense wax myrtle is all that remains of Hurricane Matthew, that tropical headline- The wax myrtles were nothing more than twigs. of what was once generator that churned up the coastline back It would be easy to simply chalk all of this up the primary means in October 2016. The presence of this eel grass to Hurricane Matthew. At face value, it very much of shipping across northern North means that the Pamlico Sound swept through was the result of the storm. But, what we know Carolina parts of this forest. of rising sea levels is that small changes interact

18 | SUMMER 2017 AMERICANFORESTS.ORG synergistically with other variables that already jeopardize life on these sandbars. What is a few inches of sea level rise? Or a couple of feet for that matter? We may lose several feet of a beach, but that’s nothing in a place like this. When it comes to storms, rising sea levels, out into the shallows to dig for astronomical high tides or just about anything else, clams, I am reminded of how the media tends to focus on the ocean side of things. these maritime forests are so Sure, that is where the multi-million dollar homes much greater than the sum of are. But, that is not where we see the biggest impacts their parts. These forests play of such events. Around these parts, a few inches of habitat and home for basically sea level rise equates to a significant amount of wave everything that lives on these action against the back-island shorelines, which are barrier islands. Nearly every not naturally fortified against such energy as the species of mammal, amphibian, ocean-side beaches are. reptile, bird and insect that makes its living on these Above left: A The bodies of water behind the islands are a vast islands does so thanks to the protection and fresh male pine warbler perches on the inland sea and the second largest estuary in the water afforded them by these forests. needs of a longleaf continental U.S. Though these waters are subject to The raccoon continues to make his way towards pine in Croatan the pull of the moon and subsequent ebb and flow a small bay known as Old Slough, and my attention National Forest; above right: A male of tides, it’s the wind that really drives the flow of turns to the series of ripples cutting across the water. painted bunting water here. So, take a high tide around a place like I can make out a shadow below the surface maybe sits atop of his Ocracoke Island, add a 25-mph westerly wind to the 4 or 5 feet long. That primal feeling of adrenaline perch inside a martime forest equation and the water quickly builds up to many races through my body as I watch in awe while a tail along the coast of feet above normal. Let such winds occur during a and dorsal fin breaks the surface. It’s a shark, though North Carolina spring or king tide, and entire sections of the island what species I can only guess. A grin spreads across goes underwater. Let such tides occur during a hur- my face as I watch this apex predator move on in ricane, and, well, you get the point. lazy fashion. To think, I am watching sharks 20 feet All of this equates to extensive erosion, and away from one of the rarest forests in the country. swaths of maritime forests falling into the waters The term maritime seems so fitting at this moment. behind the islands — something that is happening It really is a forest connected with the sea. up and down this coast. On Bald Head Island, which holds one of the most important stands of maritime Jared Lloyd is natural history writer and wildlife forest left in the state, it is predicted that for every photographer. From the coastal rainforests of foot of sea level rise, they will lose a minimum of Alaska to the high Andes of Ecuador, his work Below: Raccoon 5,000 acres of island. In others places, the Outer takes him all over the world in search of stories and wading in the Banks are suffering erosion rates of as much as 23 photographs. A native of the islands off the coast shallows, making his way towards a feet a year for this reason. of North Carolina, he now lives on the doorstep of small bay known as All of this from just a few inches of sea level rise. Yellowstone in Bozeman, Mont. Old Slough But, we are not looking at a few inches of sea level rise forecasted for this coastline. We are looking at a several feet through the coming decades. Under normal circumstances, this would not be such a problem for the maritime forests that eke out a living here. This is a landscape of constant changes. These forests, and their associated biota, have evolved to keep pace with such change. And, much like the islands themselves, which move in response to sea level rise, the forests also migrate in response to the shifting sands. Well, that is unless there are neighborhoods, coastal McMansions, roads, golf courses and gift shops hemming them in. I watch as a raccoon makes its way from the edge of the forest and down to the water. As he wades

AMERICANFORESTS.ORG SUMMER 2017 | 19 GARRETSUHRIE.

WILDLANDS WILDLIFE Working to protect and restore forest habitat for at-risk wildlife across the United States BY ERIC SPRAGUE, JUSTIN HYNICKA AND JEFF LERNER

20 | SUMMER 2017 AMERICANFORESTS.ORG THE UNITED STATES ONCE CONTAINED 1 BILLION ACRES OF FOREST, rich in diversity and abundant in wildlife. And, while today we estimate 765

GARRETSUHRIE. million acres of forest remain, only a few million acres of old-growth are left. Much of the rest has been altered. More than 60 million acres are now at high risk of catastrophic wildfire due to decades of suppressing natural wildfires; more than 50 million acres are managed more as tree plantations than forests, and 136 million acres are urban forests where areas impacted by development continue to expand.

WILDLANDS FOR WILDLIFE Working to protect and restore forest habitat for at-risk wildlife across the United States BY ERIC SPRAGUE, JUSTIN HYNICKA AND JEFF LERNER

AMERICANFORESTS.ORG SUMMER 2017 | 21 WILDLANDS FOR WILDLIFE PRIORITY ECOSYSTEMS

NORTHERN ROCKIES AND CASCADES

Whitebark Grizzly NORTHERN Pine Forest Bear Ecosystem GREAT LAKES

SIERRA NEVADA MOUNTAINS Jack Pine Kirtland’s Forest Warbler Ecosystem

CENTRAL Sugar Pine Pacific Forest Fisher APPALACHIANS Ecosystem

HAWAIIAN ISLANDS Red Spruce West Virginia Forest Northern Ecosystem Flying Squirrel

‘Ōhi‘a Lehua Hawaiian Forest Honeycreepers LOWER RIO GRANDE VALLEY SOUTHEASTERN U.S. Ecosystem

Texas Ocelot Longleaf Gopher Thornscrub Pine Forest Tortoise Ecosystem Ecosystem

AMERICANFORESTS.ORG SUMMER 2017 | 23 WILDLANDS FOR WILDLIFE JESUS - FOTOLIA JESUS - FOTOLIA

Adult male Northern In short, we have fewer forests, and large por- policymakers and raise public awareness. After goshawk (Accipiter tions of those that remain are fragmented and a review of regions across the U.S., these priority gentilis) degraded. Not surprisingly, those factors spell areas were selected because, though they have been outright loss of habitat and are the main threats severely reduced in size and extent as a result of to biological diversity in our country. Because various factors, they are key to the recuperation of of these factors, more than 17,000 species of biodiversity and are places for which opportunities animals and plants in the U.S. are considered at exist to accelerate the pace of ecosystem recovery. risk of extinction. Systems were also chosen based on American In the last 25 years, American Forests has Forests’ history in the areas, our ability to make restored more than 150,000 acres of forest, an area long-term commitments to play a transformational that would cover more than 200 square miles if it role in ecosystem recovery and the potential to raise were contiguous, through projects in every state. awareness about the need for restoration in these Yet, we know so much more needs to be done to neglected forests. restore forest habitat and recover populations of Wildlands for Wildlife will build on other at-risk species. What is needed is a more strategic American Forests programs by implementing a approach. Taking on that challenge, American range of protection, restoration and stewardship Forests has embarked on a new initiative to focus actions in each priority area, focusing on control- on a handful of critical forest ecosystems in the U.S. ling invasive plants and pests, enhancing habitat with the goal of accelerating conservation activities structure, fostering climate change resilience, for critical wildlife habitat in those areas: our new informing public policy and reintroducing forest Wildlands for Wildlife initiative. wildlife back into the wild. Introduced here are the initial seven forest To embark on this long-term journey, it’s im- ecosystems where we will invest in restoration portant that we familiarize our members with the work, participate in conservation planning, engage seven critical forest ecosystems.

24 | SUMMER 2017 AMERICANFORESTS.ORG Southeastern U.S. pression policies. Without fire to clear pine needles and brush that blanket the forest floor, WHAT WE’RE GOING TO DO: sunlight cannot reach the soil and longleaf seeds tree planting, prescribed fire, endan- will not grow. Eventually, the pines are replaced gered species translocation, conversion by other species, like oaks and maples, which can of tree plantations sprout and grow in a shadier understory. The changing nature of these forests is a AT A GLANCE real challenge to the gopher tortoise and nearly k STATES: North Carolina, Virginia, South 600 other species adapted to life in and under Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, longleaf pines. Half of these species are consid- Mississippi, Louisiana ered rare and more than 100 at-risk, including k THEMES: endangered species, the red-cockaded woodpecker and reticulated biodiversity, water flatwoods salamander. k TREES: longleaf pine forest ecosystems k FOCAL WILDLIFE SPECIES: gopher tortoise and red-cockaded woodpecker

Longleaf pine forest ecosystems are national biodiversity hotspots. Historically, the forests extended across 90 million acres in the Southeastern U.S. Today, less than 3 percent of longleaf pine forests remain — one of the steepest declines for any habitat type. Prized for their tall, straight trunks, longleaf pine forests were heavily timbered and converted to other uses like agriculture. Today, development and plantations of other pines, like loblolly and slash, are the primary drivers of forest loss. Where longleaf pine forests remain, their health is threatened by decades-long fire sup-

Above: Burrows created by the gopher tortoise provide homes to more than 360 other species; left: Less than 3 percent of longleaf pine forests remain — one of the steepest declines for any habitat type JUSTIN MEISSEN VIA FLICKR MEISSEN JUSTIN

AMERICANFORESTS.ORG SUMMER 2017 | 25 WILDLANDS FOR WILDLIFE

Central Appalachians northern flying squirrel, also commonly known as the Virginia northern flying squirrel — a subspecies WHAT WE’RE GOING TO DO: of the northern flying squirrel — and the endangered tree planting, mine land reclamation Cheat Mountain salamander, not to mention amazing freshwater clams and mussels. Remarkably, this AT A GLANCE area has more types of salamanders than anywhere k STATES: Pennsylvania, Maryland, West in the world. Virginia, Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee This region is also rich in natural resources, such k THEMES: biodiversity, carbon storage, as timber and coal, and natural resource extraction rural communities — combined with current policies of wildfire sup- k TREES: red spruce forest ecosystems, pression — have significantly altered the trajectory oak systems in lowlands of forest development. In high-elevation areas his- k FOCAL WILDLIFE SPECIES: West Virginia torically free of wildfire, widespread logging of red northern flying squirrel and Cheat spruce in the late 1880s contributed to catastrophic Mountain salamander wildfires that destroyed seed banks. In contrast, fire suppression on historically dry sites have allowed Forest ecosystems of the Central Appalachians less desirable tree species to become more wide- have a long and ancient history, and the origin of spread. And presently, there are more than 1 million most forest types east of the Mississippi River can acres of highly-compacted abandoned mine land be traced to this region. The rugged terrain, large where, without restoration, trees cannot grow. differences in elevation between lowlands and highlands and north-south orientation of the mountains promotes the growth of widely dissimilar tree species. The highlands, which are cool and moist, once supported extensive stands of old-growth red spruce, while the dry, southwest-facing lowland slopes and ridges are preferred by fire-loving tree species such as oaks and pines. The celebrated plant diversity of this region supports a truly unique cast of wildlife species, including the rare West Virginia WWW.MASTERIMAGES.ORG MASTER, LARRY

Left: The rugged terrain, large differences in elevation between lowlands and highlands, and north-south orientation of the Central Appalachians all promote the growth of widely dissimilar tree species; above: The West Viriginia northern flying squirrel is a subspecies of the northern flying squirrel (pictured) found in the Central Appalachians

26 | SUMMER 2017 AMERICANFORESTS.ORG AMERICAN FORESTS

Northern Great Lakes and red pine that are up to 15 feet high and WHAT WE’RE GOING TO DO: 20 years old in Michi- prescribed fire, invasive species control gan’s Upper and Lower peninsulas, in Wiscon- AT A GLANCE sin and the Canadian k STATES: Michigan, Minnesota, province of Ontario. Wisconsin, New York, as well as Fire was histori- Ontario, Canada cally an integral part of k THEMES: endangered species, creating early succes- recreation, wildfire sional pine habitat, re- k TREES: jack and red pine forest moving the bigger older ecosystems

trees and competing FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE U.S. k FOCAL WILDLIFE SPECIES: trees and shrubs, and Kirtland’s warbler and moose causing the cones to release seeds. But, modern Top: Young jack fire suppression policies interrupted this cycle. pine forest from a 2010 American The Northern Great Lakes region contains The already narrow breeding range, combined Forests planting diverse mixed forest types, including aspen; with loss of habitat, caused the Kirtland’s in Au Sable State northern hardwoods of sugar maple, beech, and warbler population to plummet. Since the Forest in Michigan; right: The Kirtland's birch; and white, red and jack pine. These pines bird’s Endangered Species Act listing in 1973, warbler is one of are among the least common forest types but are conservation efforts have expanded the warbler’s the rarest warblers disproportionately important to the endangered population, but even though the global popula- in North America Kirtland’s warbler. Each spring, the bright yellow tion has risen to more than 4,000 birds, it is still and bluish-gray songbird leaves its wintering one of the rarest of warblers in North America grounds in the Bahamas and migrates to a highly and will require continued conservation to specific habitat: large, dense areas of young jack maintain breeding habitat.

AMERICANFORESTS.ORG SUMMER 2017 | 27 Hawaiian Islands For tens of millions of years, the Hawaiian Islands have been isolated by vast stretches WHAT WE’RE GOING TO DO: of Pacific Ocean from the rest of the world. As tree planting, habitat enhancement, such, the Hawaiian Islands developed unique invasive plant removal, predator control, wet and dry tropical forest ecosystems resulting endangered species translocation in an incredible amount of biodiversity. ‘Ōhi‘a Above: The lehua forest ecosystems have adapted to occur Hawaiian Islands AT A GLANCE throughout the islands and can occur as a shrub have developed k STATES: unique wet and Hawai‘i or a 100-foot tree. dry tropical forest k THEMES: biodiversity, endangered The flowers of the ‘ōhi‘a lehua are favored ecosystems, species, water by many species of the spectacularly diverse hon- resulting in an k TREES: incredible amount ‘Ōhi‘a lehua forest ecosys- eycreepers. Historically, the islands supported at of biodiversity; tems, including species such as koa, least 51 species of Hawaiian honeycreepers. In below: The scarlet mamane and iliahi the isolated habitats of the islands, these birds honeycreeper k FOCAL WILDLIFE SPECIES: Hawaiian (‘i‘iwi) uses its long adapted from a single finch species to exploit decurved bill to honeycreepers and other endangered different habitats. The Maui parrotbill (kiwikiu) feed on nectar forest birds uses its parrot-like bill to strip bark and break branches to search for insect larvae. The scarlet honeycreeper (‘i‘iwi) uses its long decurved bill to feed on nectar. Today, less than half of the formerly known honeycreepers are still found in Hawaiian forests. The widespread distribution of non-native plants and animals have wreaked havoc on Hawaiian forests and wildlife over the last few hundred years, making Hawai‘i the “extinction capital of the world.” Restoration efforts offer hope that these evolutionary wonders will recover and thrive in Hawaiian forests once again. WARREN COOKE VIA AMERICAN BIRD CONSERVANCY COOKE WARREN

28 | SUMMER 2017 AMERICANFORESTS.ORG WILDLANDS FOR WILDLIFE

Northern Rockies and Cascades

WHAT WE’RE GOING TO DO: tree planting, expand programs to culti- vate whitebark pines that are resistant to blister rust, protect rust-resistant trees

AT A GLANCE k STATES: Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, as well as Alberta and British Columbia, Canada Whitebark pine, a candidate for listing under k THEMES: endangered species, the Endangered Species Act, is considered a recreation, water keystone species — one that increases the biodi- k TREES: whitebark pine versity of a community. Within high-elevation, k FOCAL WILDLIFE SPECIES: grizzly bear subalpine communities, whitebark pine forests and Canada lynx help regulate runoff and reduce soil erosion, provide food for birds and mammals and promote The forest ecosystems of the Northern Rockies post-disturbance forest regeneration, as a pio- and Cascades are some of North America’s most neer species that can establish on harsh sites. ecologically diverse and intact landscapes, support- The grizzly bear is threatened throughout this ing iconic wildlife like the threatened grizzly bear. region, and the National Park Service is currently Above right: The range includes Yellowstone, Glacier and North reviewing plans to reintroduce the bear to the The grizzly bear is threatened Cascades National Parks and dozens of other nation- North Cascades Ecosystem. Whitebark pine can throughout the al parks, national forests and other protected public be an important food source for grizzlies. When Northern Rockies lands. Yet, even this remote wilderness is threatened. cones are abundant in these high-elevation and Cascades, and the National Park In the high elevations of this region, whitebark pine forests, grizzly bears can feed almost exclusively Service is currently trees are sustaining heavy losses from white pine on whitebark pine seeds, making them important reviewing plans to blister rust, successive waves of mountain pine to survival for winter hibernation and to keeping reintroduce the bear; below: Wild Goose beetle and the impact of fire suppression. All of these the bears in the wildland forests instead of hu- Island in Glacier forces are further fueled by climate change. man communities. National Park

AMERICANFORESTS.ORG SUMMER 2017 | 29 Right: Emerald Lake in the Mammoth Lakes Basin in the Sierra Nevada Mountains; below: Sugar pines illustrate the great old-growth potential of this forest type that is critical to many wildlife species, including the rare Pacific fisher

The Sierra Nevada Mountains are one of the most cherished and dramatic landscapes in the U.S. This region captured the attention of world- renowned naturalist and writer John Muir and photographer Ansel Adams and presently attracts millions of outdoor enthusiasts every year. Abrupt changes in elevation from California’s Central Valley up to the steep mountain summits create stellar views and a large variety of microclimates that have resulted in one of the most biologically diverse temperate conifer forests on Earth. Sugar pine, which was historically a dominant tree species in this mixed-pine forest ecosystem, is the largest and tallest of all pines. Living more than 500 years, sugar Sierra Nevada pines illustrate the great old-growth potential of this Mountains forest type that is critical to many wildlife species, including the rare Pacific fisher, an important mid- WHAT WE’RE GOING TO DO: size forest carnivore. tree planting, sustainable forest In the past six years alone, an unprecedented 100 management (i.e. thinning dense forests million trees have died throughout the Sierra Ne- to lessen wildfire risk and promote tree vada Mountains due to drought, pests and disease growth) and prescribed fire and wildfire. But, make no mistake, these forests need fire! This die-off is a legacy of fire suppres- AT A GLANCE sion policies that have actually increased wildfire k STATES: California severity, leaving portions of the forest without a seed k THEMES: wildfire, water, rural economies source for miles and turning back the clock on forest k TREES: sugar pine forest ecosystems, development by decades, if not centuries. including a mix of conifers like Jeffrey American Forests has a long history in this pine, ponderosa pine, western white region and remains committed to restoring and pine, Douglas-fir and incense cedar increasing the resilience of this landscape using a k FOCAL WILDLIFE SPECIES: Pacific fisher variety of restoration tools in partnership with the and northern goshawk U.S. Forest Service and local communities.

30 | SUMMER 2017 AMERICANFORESTS.ORG WILDLANDS FOR WILDLIFE

Lower Rio Grande Valley destination for visitors and bird enthusiasts from around the world. WHAT WE’RE GOING TO DO: k 300 butterfly species, a number that encompasses tree planting, habitat enhancement approximately 40 percent of all butterfly species found in North America. This area also includes AT A GLANCE crucial migratory habitat for dwindling numbers of Below right: k STATES: Texas monarch butterfly populations as they embark on Tamaulipan k THEMES: endangered species, their 2,000-mile journeys across North America. thornscrub biodiversity, recreation k 1,200 plant species that live within the region, vegetation (Texas thornscrub) is k TREES: Texas thornscrub forest including six threatened and endangered plants. characterized by ecosystems, including diverse mix Since the 1920s, 95 percent of native Texas dense brush that of tree species, including huisache, thornscrub forest has been cleared for agriculture provides habitat for many wildlife granejo, brasil and Texas ebony and development. These trends have been devastat- species; k FOCAL WILDLIFE SPECIES: ocelot and ing to the endangered ocelot. As of 2016, there are below left: As of rare birds and butterflies only around 50 known ocelots in the LRGV. The 2016, there are only around 50 known cat’s recovery will ultimately depend on the success ocelots in the Lower The Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV) is the of habitat restoration efforts. Rio Grande Valley fertile river delta of the Rio Grande River. The combination of climate, vegetation and associated wildlife create an ecosystem unlike any other in America. The local Tamaulipan thornscrub vegetation (Texas thornscrub) is characterized by dense brush that provides habitat for many wildlife species. This uniquely Texan habitat is required for a diverse

group of wildlife and plants, including: FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICEA U.S. k 11 federally listed threatened or endangered wildlife species, including ocelot and jagua- rundi, both small forest cats that have lost much of their native habitat in south Texas and surrounding states. k 530 bird species, some reaching their northern limit in the LRGV and not found elsewhere in the U.S., making this a critical protected habitat and a much-sought-after

This is the first installment of an eight-issue series covering our Wildlands for Wildlife initiative. Over the next seven issues of American Forests magazine, we will take a deep dive into each region, exploring the wildlife species housed in, and conservation issues faced by, each ecosystem.

Eric Sprague and Justin Hynicka write from Washington, D.C. and serve as American Forests’ director of forest conservation programs and manager of forest conservation, respectively. Jeff Lerner is the former vice president of conservation programs.

AMERICANFORESTS.ORG SUMMER 2017 | 31

Woodland

on the Edge

BY MICHAEL ADAMOVIC

ASK A PERSON WHO’S RECENTLY TAKEN A STROLL or a hike through the woods what the best part of their trip was, and the answers that often come up are spotting wildlife or reveling in the beauty of the woodland wildflowers. While we all love and appreciate the splendor and magnificence of trees, the flowers growing beneath their shade, with their flashy and colorful blossoms are apt to garner more admiration. And, unlike a chance encounter with wildlife, flowers are ubiquitous and regularly enjoyed in every season except the harshness of winter. But, while many of these showy species abound in stable forested habitats, they’re not as robust as one would imagine. They may seem hardy but are actually incredibly fragile, their very existence stacked atop a number of variables, which if not perfectly balanced, will topple the same as a pitted Jenga tower. It’s really a miracle they exist at all. It’s no surprise that the moment their forested environments begin to be destabilized by invasive species, logging or fragmentation by development and sprawl — and now frequently a combination of all three — these wonder- Pollination of a downy ful plants inevitably decline, causing a dramatic shift in the once rattlesnake plantain diverse species composition.

AMERICANFORESTS.ORG SUMMER 2017 | 33 ON A RECENT SPRING VISIT to an bloodroot, among others — require a continu- opulent and spacious old-growth forest in the ously damp substrate in order for their seeds to Adirondacks, I was reminded of just how vital germinate. If these recalcitrant seeds happen these intact woodlands are to the integrity of to dry out, they become rather useless. A dense flowering herbaceous species. Never having been overhead canopy helps prevent moisture loss to the logged, or seriously disturbed in any way, the land forest understory from the desiccating influences was absolutely pristine and useful as a tool for of direct sunlight, along with reducing subcanopy comparison in terms of biodiversity to compro- temperatures. Additionally, spongy mosses, like mised habitats. This was a place of massive and those I witnessed scattered throughout the Adiron- venerable trees, mixed among mid-aged indi- dack forest, slowly release water to the soil like viduals and saplings situated in an environment miniature reservoirs. In sunnier and drier locales rich in vast quantities of fallen woody debris in where moss has difficulty growing, thick layers of various stages of decay, all sitting atop beds of leafy duff will similarly do the trick. delicate ferns and damp, verdant moss. These What’s more, these plants use a clever seed dis- intertwined idyllic features are more than persal tactic known as myrmecochory, where ants Red columbine just aesthetically pleasing. Many wildflowers rely are the primary agents of the distribution process. typically inhabits bedrock on these features for survival. Elaiosomes, tiny lipid- and protein-laden append- outcroppings The best known spring ephemerals, for ages wrapped around the seeds, entice the insects to and steep cliffs instance — Dutchman’s breeches, trilliums and collect and bring them back to their nests where the MICHAEL ADAMOVIC BY ALL PHOTOS

34 | SUMMER 2017 AMERICANFORESTS.ORG How can the outlook for these wildflowers’ continued existence be anything other than bleak in a habitat devoid of beneficial organisms?

fleshy appendages are removed and consumed. The MORE FINICKY THAN the spring ephemerals remaining seed bodies are then dumped in nutrient- — and perhaps any other group — the most beloved rich waste pits optimal for germination. While of our wildflowers, the orchids, are fast declining. effective in transporting seeds away from the parent To say they are picky is a grand understatement. plant, employing such diminutive creatures results Most orchids have an extremely narrow set of in seeds rarely travelling more than a handful of feet. acceptable growing conditions. Undoubtedly the As such, populations expand quite slowly and are most important factor to their establishment is generally localized. the presence of certain soil fungi. All orchids Slightly after the earliest of the at some point in their lives rely on the spring ephemerals make an symbiotic relationship they form

ALL PHOTOS BY MICHAEL ADAMOVIC BY ALL PHOTOS appearance, red columbine, with mycorrhizal fungi. The with its red and yellow dust-like seeds of orchids chandelier-like blossoms, lack endosperm, which erupt in flaming fury in most plants provide along exposed rocky seedlings with suste- slopes. These flowers nance early on (think are comprised of five of an acorn). But for long tubular struc- orchids, in order for tures, at the very end an embryo to develop, of which is located seeds essentially need the nectar-reward for to become infected by pollinators. The problem The federally a fungus. This “infec- with these tubes is that threatened tion” is benign, in fact only creatures with the small whorled beneficial, with the seeds pogonia longest of tongues can access now being supplied with the the nectar — namely hummingbirds necessary nutrients for success- and bumblebees. Columbine has evolved to ful germination. Later on as the orchid exploit a narrow niche, mainly meant to favor matures, the original investment of the fungus the dainty hummingbirds. The color red is will be paid back with sugars produced by the well-known to attract these birds. Growing on plant’s photosynthesis. bedrock outcroppings and steep cliffs, where dense Not just any fungus will do. Many orchid trees and shrubbery can’t gain a foothold, ensures species have evolved to rely only on closely re- the flowers are easily spotted and accessible to lated fungi from a particular genus, and, in some the rocketing birds, which prefer to zip along cases, such as when it comes to lily-leaved tway- unencumbered, a result of a high metabolism that blade, a single species. So, if the correct fungi are requires them to always be seeking another absent from the soil, even if all other conditions flowery meal without a moment’s rest. are properly met — the site having the cor- The point I’m trying to make here is that habitat rect habitat type, soil pH, moisture regimes, light loss doesn’t just destroy flowers in a physical sense, conditions, etc., — the seeds will never sprout. it destroys plant reproduction processes by elimi- Thus, when we actually find an orchid growing nating important pollinators and seed dispersers and thriving, it truly is in the “perfect” spot. from an area. How can the outlook for these wild- Even the slightest changes in the environ- flowers’ continued existence be anything other than ment can adversely affect these fragile plants, bleak in a habitat devoid of beneficial organisms even once established. While some orchids rely on such as pollinators? fungi only during the early stages of life, numer-

AMERICANFORESTS.ORG SUMMER 2017 | 35 36 | SUMMER 2017 AMERICANFORESTS.ORG A severe disruption of the canopy allows for shade-intolerant species to gain an edge until the forest completes the lengthy process of forest succession. Centuries may pass by before we see the forest restored to its original composition of both trees and herbaceous species. In the meantime we can say good-bye to the rich diversity of orchids many mature, or climax forests, support.

ous species keep the mutualistic association going opy allows for shade-intolerant species to gain an throughout the entirety of their lives. This is why edge until the forest completes the lengthy process transplanting is futile. If removed from its fungal of forest succession. Centuries may pass before partner, much-needed nutrients delivered by we see the forest restored to its original composi- the fungus to the orchid disappear, and the plant tion of both trees and herbaceous species. In the slowly withers. The valuable connection is almost meantime we can say goodbye to the rich diversity never reestablished, the correct fungi rarely being of orchids many mature, or climax forests, support. present at the new site. Nicknamed the “rarest orchid east of the Missis- Likewise, if fungi happen to vanish from an sippi,” the federally threatened small whorled pogo- ecosystem, the identical consequences inevita- nia is dependent on fungi that form a bond primarily bly result. The same fungi that support orchids are with oaks, hickories and American beech. It typically they themselves dependent on select tree species inhabits moist environments on moderate slopes or for similar mutualistic relationships. When forest occasionally at their base, which possesses a tough, tree composition changes, these pivotal fungi impermeable upper layer of soil, known as a fragi- sometimes vanish. Large-scale disturbance, either pan, that causes water to flow downhill similarly to natural or influenced by anthropogenic factors, can the movements of a water slide, rather than soaking shift a habitat composed of mainly shade-tolerant vertically into the soil. While tree species can be climax forest species (sugar maple, beech, hem- replaced with comparative ease, the obliteration lock) to shade-intolerant pioneer trees (aspens, of topographical and other abiotic features cannot. yellow poplar, white pine), in the process typically Destruction of a hill, disruption of a delicate micro- lowering diversity. A severe disruption of the can- drainage or the homogenizing of soil all lead to the

Facing page: The author stands beside an old- growth hemlock on conserved land in southeastern New York; this page: Bloodroot colony

AMERICANFORESTS.ORG SUMMER 2017 | 37 same result. It’s worth repeating that these organisms' lives, unlike those of weeds, aren’t robust — pull out a rivet or two, 10 or even 50 from a bridge and the structure will probably still stand. Orchids, such as the fragile small whorled pogonia, can be undone like a house of cards by even the smallest breeze or exhalation.

IN TERMS OF DELICATENESS, parasitic plants face similar issues. Completely lacking chlorophyll in many instances, these oddities of the plant world cannot produce their own food, and instead must acquire Right: Indian pipe is it by pilfering the supplies of nearby a parasitic plant that trees. Some plant parasites, such as lacks chlorophyll; the ghostly Indian pipe and soft- below: Squawroot bearing fleshy hued pinesaps, form associations with seed pods fungi. While these interactions are

Parasitic plants are not equivalent to some in- sidious tapeworm, which only benefit themselves. A more apt comparison would be referring to them as a sort of Robin Hood. Apart from flowers providing resources to hungry insects, squawroot is regularly consumed by bears. Their spring- time diet is typically composed of 10 percent of this strange, fungus-looking flower. In some southern reaches, this number is much higher; in Shenandoah National Park, it’s been shown that squawroot may constitute up to 40 percent of a bear’s diet in the lean months. It’s also quite important to deer and other smaller wildlife.

AS WE HAVE SEEN, all the wildflowers just described can’t simply move elsewhere. Those of a mutualistic nature like that of the orchids, they that can, we frequently refer to as weeds, or worse use the fungi as an intermediary to steal carbohy- — invasive species. Most of the flowers of our drates (sugars) directly from trees without providing forests are of a different brand, evolved to exploit anything in return to their arboreal hosts. Others, a so-called “stable-habitat” scenario. These long- like beechdrops and squawroot, tap directly into tree lived perennials put most of their energy into roots extracting what they need to survive. Beech- building tissue, such as large taproots to store drops, as the name suggests, are reliant solely on energy, rather than devoting the lion’s share to the beech trees for survival. This group of herbaceous development of seeds. As a result, they can take plants normally cause little damage to their hosts, a many years to mature and are especially vulner- result of their comparatively small size. able to exploitation.

38 | SUMMER 2017 AMERICANFORESTS.ORG In complete contrast to lush and species- Walking through places infested with invasives is Left: Blunt-lobed rich old-growth, or of slightly younger, a heart-dampening experience. What should hepatica; below: Thick moss along an yet healthy maturing forests, a otherwise be colorful and cheery is intermittent stream significant percentage of our sec- anemic and lackluster, all because supports Canada ondary-growth forests are we altered, or might I say, mayflower remaining indefinitely in a desecrated the landscape. sickly adolescence devoid Healthy ecosystems are of any remarkable beauty. normally able to repel Invasive species prolif- foreign invaders. But, loosen eration is mainly to blame. the soil, add a dose of bright Instead of regenerating to light and eliminate our a climax state, non-native native defenders, and our trees and shrubs, and even forests are easily conquered. herbs, are mercilessly smoth- Encountering a vibrant wild- ering native species, preventing flower pushing itself through the a complex multi-tiered canopy and detritus of the forest floor on a cold understory from developing. Japanese spring morning can make all the differ- barberry, for example, is especially harmful to ence to our day. We should preserve what we can. As spring ephemerals. This thorny bush leafs out Thoreau sagely put it, our forests and all they contain earlier than just about any other shrub or tree are “more to be admired and enjoyed than used.” in eastern forests, prematurely shading out species that evolved to awaken early to exploit Mike Adamovic works at One Nature, LLC the abundance of vernal light reaching the overseeing habitat restoration projects in understory. Instead of forest floors carpeted by southeastern New York, in addition to managing picturesque arrays of trout lily or bloodroot, we his photography business, Adamovic Nature have dense and oppressive monocultures of the Photography. He is the author of “Hudson Valley ubiquitous garlic mustard, smartweed, Asiatic Reflections: Illustrated Travel and Field Guide” set dayflower and Japanese stilt grass. to be published in July 2017.

AMERICANFORESTS.ORG SUMMER 2017 | 39 SOARING UNDER THE R A D A R

BY CHUCK GRAHAM

BACK IN THE MID-1990S, Hiking along Sespe Creek in the Sespe Wilderness while backpacking along the Sisquoc River, I had no idea I was actually trekking along the Condor Trail. My wife, Lori, dropped me off with my friend Leo Downey, a backcountry wilderness guide in New Cuyama, and we backpacked 80 miles southwest, finishing in Montecito in Santa Barbara, Calif. I can remember pile- driving through nearly impenetrable chaparral along The Condor Trail begins at its southern termi- the scenic Sisquoc River, ticks showering down nus at Lake Piru in Ventura County, ascending its like rain in the dense, overgrown section of the way from sea level up 7,000 feet through the Sespe Wilderness and a portion of the Dick Smith Wilder- 410-mile thru-hike in the heart of Los Padres ness before it follows the gradual flow of the Sisquoc

National Forest. River in the heart of the San Raphael Wilderness NOTED OTHERWISE CHUCK GRAHAM, UNLESS BY ALL PHOTOGRAPHY

40 | SUMMER 2017 AMERICANFORESTS.ORG and traverses its way up and over the Sierra Madre Above: Hiking Mountains. From there it crosses over Highway across the San Rafael Wilderness 166, hugging the coastal route along Highway 1 from Morro Bay, Cayucos, Cambria and San Simeon before finishing at Botchers Gap at the north end of Big Sur, within the northern Monterey Ranger District. “This is one of the most difficult portions of the Condor Trail,” said Bryan Conant, a cartographer who works for the non-profit Los Padres Forest Association, referring to the Sisquoc River section.

“There’s a lot of work to be done. Our mission is CONANT BRYAN to keep it off of dirt roads and in the wilderness as much as possible.” connecting the backend of Lake Piru to the Man- zana Schoolhouse in the San Rafael Wilderness. VISION QUEST According to Conant, Coles enlisted close friend The Condor Trail was originally hatched by a Los Chris Danch. Danch was seduced by the possibilities Padres National Forest Service historian and tire- of creating a route, and, eventually, he took the bull

ALL PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHUCK GRAHAM, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED OTHERWISE CHUCK GRAHAM, UNLESS BY ALL PHOTOGRAPHY less trail-worker, Alan Coles. He had the vision of by the horns expanding on Cole’s original plan.

AMERICANFORESTS.ORG SUMMER 2017 | 41 The Condor Trail, and its role as habitat for the California condor, is a work in progress — a labor of tough love — and, according to Conant, that might always be the case.

“Chris felt the trail should extend across the entire length of forest up to Monterey,” said Conant. “He took the reins on furthering the route.” Danch ran the trail project for a decade and, according to Conant, made huge strides in the development of the Condor Trail. He introduced the concept to the public while garnering support from the U.S. Forest Service. However, as time rolled on and for unspecified reasons, Danch ran out of steam in the early 2000s, and with it the Condor Trail fell dormant, hibernating away in the dense, tick- infested chaparral. While Danch gathered support for the trail, Conant — who was in the throes of mapping the Los Padres National Forest — attended a lecture in the late-1990s delivered by Danch at the Santa Barbara Public Library. Conant fell in love with the project. “Afterwards, I had some time and started pok- ing around to see where the Condor Trail was,” continued Conant. “I found out that nothing was going on with it, and so I decided to resuscitate it and bring it back to life.” From that point on, Conant dug in his heels, created a non-profit called the Condor Trail Associa- tion, created a website and developed a following of Below left: like-minded hikers and backpackers spanning the WHAT’S IN A NAME? California condors; length of the Los Padres National Forest. Since then, The Condor Trail is actually a popular and vital below right: Flowers along the Condor Danch has rejoined the effort moving forward to flyway for populations of wild California con- Trail near Big Sur enhance the route. dors congregating between Hopper Mountain

42 | SUMMER 2017 AMERICANFORESTS.ORG National Wildlife Refuge northeast of Fillmore brink of extinction. At the same time, these Hiking in the Sespe in the Sespe Wilderness and Ventana Wilderness Old World raptors are attempting to reclaim Wilderness up in Big Sur. historic territory. To say the endangered California condor and The Condor Trail, and its role as habitat for the Condor Trail parallel each other is an under- the California condor, is a work in progress — statement, to say the least. The Condor Trail, and a labor of tough love — and, according to its 400-plus miles between Lake Piru and Big Conant, that might always be the case. Sur, was the final stronghold of the last remain- “Following in the footsteps of other ing wild condor population. Those 15 surviv- long-distance trails, I don’t ever see it being ing condors were trapped in the Santa Barbara completed, so to speak,” said Conant. “The backcountry and brought into captive breeding in Pacific Crest Trail continues to change and 1987. Since then several locations along or near improve. I see annual tweaks along the the Condor Trail have been release sites for these Condor Trail as well.” captive-bred birds, which are North America’s In that sense the Condor Trail is like a child largest flying landbird. that needs to be nurtured one step at a time as it The trail and this Pleistocene remnant both navigates through life. Funds need to be raised need help to survive. The California condor still for trail crews to construct new routes and main- relies on human intervention for its survival tain established trails. There are large sections of — the constant fight against lead poisoning, trail that need to be reclaimed due to overgrown consumption of trash, loss of critical habitat and chaparral or a section of trail that was washed these bird’s perpetual curiosity keep it on the out in a storm.

AMERICANFORESTS.ORG SUMMER 2017 | 43 View from the Condor Trail of the San Rafael Wilderness

CHALLENGES AHEAD Conant is in this for the long haul. As a cartographer who has mapped vast swaths of the Los Padres National Forest and with his duties at the Los Padres Forest Association, there’s no race to the finish line as the Condor Trail evolves. He doesn’t spend as much time as he used to on the trail, but with his work with the Los Padres Forest Association, there’s not a lack of trail projects to pursue. In 2015 and 2016, Conant spent about 40 days on the trail. “Most of the route is in place at least on paper,” explained Conant, who has explored most of the trail in the southern Los Padres. “There are still sections that are so overgrown that we are detouring hikers around them. The plan is to get those sec- Mule deer are some of the wildlife seen along the Condor Trail tions of trail ‘followable’ again so we can send hikers along those routes.” There are some private property issues on the route once a hiker/backpacker leaves the Willow Spring Trail from the south and crosses over High- way 166 heading north. After walking approximately three miles west on the highway, the trail continues at the Adobe Trailhead. “We have a vision to alter this intersection, but at the moment that is the current route,” said Conant. “Currently, we are sending hikers out of the way around the private property. Ultimately, we’d like to work a plan with the private property owners.” One of the Condor Trail’s biggest challenges was met head-on in 2015. That spring the first thru-hiker navigated the entire route. San Diegan Brittany Nielsen took the train up to Ventura, and Conant dropped her off at the trailhead at Lake Piru. She Arroyo toad finished her thru-hike in in 37 days.

44 | SUMMER 2017 AMERICANFORESTS.ORG Through many trials and tribulations, Nielsen stuck it out absorbing the many obstacles the forest could throw at her along the mountainous trail. She endured lengthy bushwhacking sections and long searches for water. She encountered very few people along the way, 20 individuals during the entire route and temperatures fluctuated from below freezing to triple digits. On the flip side of things, she hiked beneath towering redwood forests, experienced incredible wildlife — from desert bighorn sheep to arroyo toads — plus emerald green pools and perpetual solitude for which the forest is known. “The biggest challenge for the trail was getting the first person to complete the trail,” Conant said of Nielsen’s success. “I think from now on more people will hike it knowing that it was success- fully completed.”

Freelance writer and photographer Chuck Graham lives one mountain range away from the Condor Trail, where he's spent much time photographing endangered California condors soaring overhead. Hiking the Condor Trail near Big Sur

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AMERICANFORESTS.ORG SUMMER 2017 | 45 earthkeepers

Brenda Richardson

“The beauty of it is, no matter how Conservation Begins With wounded or scarred they may be, they find some sort of peace in working in the Your Boots On The Ground environment,” Brenda says. The truth that goes along with BY DOYLE IRVIN that, however, is that if your work is to SYDNEY STRASCHNOV SYDNEY inspire peace, you frequently encounter its opposite. “I’M A DINOSAUR,” Brenda Richardson “You know what my greatest fear “I’m not saying it was all peaches and emphatically reassures me. “I still believe is?” Brenda asks. “That National Park cream,” she laughs. “But, most of the time in picking up a phone or going to see you.” Service land will be up for sale. That’s my it was just awe-inspiring to see how they As Managing Director of the Earth greatest fear.” connected to the environment, what they Conservation Corps (ECC), outreach is Brenda sees her work as answering were doing and to be able to talk about it!” Brenda’s bread and butter. Founded by that fear, one day and one person at a There are countless stories of Bob Nixon, the ECC has been trans- time. Each adolescent that she con- young people who are surprised by forming at-risk youth from vulnerable vinces to pick up trash, restore a river- just how important the ECC would communities into some of Washington, front or plant a tree is one more person become to their lives. Perhaps one D.C.’s foremost environmentalists for who will advocate for public land. And, of the most notable of these vulner- nearly 30 years. Their work has restored after 24 years of working with the ECC, able youth was Diamond Teague, who the Anacostia River (“the forgotten river Brenda will tell you that she’s witnessed initially was not excited to even be of D.C.”), reintroduced bald eagles to the a transition in how people think about involved with ECC, according to his capital, planted trees and, most impor- the environment. mother, Florence Teague. tantly, transformed the city’s youth into “Absolutely… Absolutely; Now, when “We thought that Diamond was stewards of the environment. people talk about green, people in the never going to like the work,” Florence Brenda speaks with a musical voice community understand,” she attests. recounts. “He even wrote in his journal and laughs frequently. She is a calming Brenda also believes that young that when he joined the ECC, that was presence in an otherwise dramatic time, people are the largest factor in this going to be one of the worst days of politically speaking, when the spare transition — that the disparity between his life.” brainwaves of everyone — regardless the hardships they grew up in and the He quickly changed his mind. Seven of their leanings left or right — seem to selflessness with which they approach months later, Diamond had become one be captured by what’s unfolding in the making a public contribution is incred- of the most involved members of the

White House. ibly motivating to witness. Corps, inspiring countless others and HORN CHRISTOPHER

46 | SUMMER 2017 AMERICANFORESTS.ORG just gives you an idea of how many “The beauty of it is, no matter how wounded or scarred people she’s touched.” they may be, they find some sort of peace in working Her fellow Corps member Shawn Simons puts it more simply: “I’ve in the environment.” learned everything from her.” — BRENDA RICHARDSON Brenda is one of the few people born in her era to be connecting with today’s youth through Snapchat and Facebook. teaching them about the importance the time — I asked him, well, when are “I’m still very old fashioned and a of the environment. Bob Nixon’s own you going to take this out to folks at dinosaur,” Brenda admits again, but daughter attested that “when I was the real grassroots level?” She asked she thinks that social media is “a won- seven, Diamond Teague was my hero.” this question even though she already derful tool to educate folks on environ- With a bright future ahead of him, knew the answer, and then told him mental issues.” Diamond was headed to college on “I’m going to make it my business to This willingness to approach and a scholarship earned entirely on the get to the vulnerable communities and interact with people where they are merits of his environmental work. meet them where they are.” at, regardless of how new, strange or Diamond was shot on his doorstep Everything about Brenda resonates uncomfortable it may be, is exactly not long after earning that scholar- with this declaration. The sport coat what makes Brenda so good at what ship. He inspired and influenced so she wears befits a Managing Director, she does. She listens. Then she laughs. many people that the city of D.C. built but the workboots on her feet tell you Then you find yourself laughing. And a 39,000-square-foot park in his mem- that she doesn’t mess around. Corps then you find yourself planting a tree. ory. He is one of 26 Corps members to members will back this up, if you even pass away before their time. need to ask. Nneka Anoiske attests Doyle Irvin contributes to American It is the importance of helping that “Everywhere I’ve gone so far, if Forests’ magazine and Loose Leaf blog, these young people — knowing how I mention, ‘Do you know Brenda and is passionate about protecting the much they need it and how much Richardson?’ they’ll be like ‘Yeah, I environment and investing in the future worse it could be if they didn’t have know Brenda, she did X, Y and Z.’ It of our planet. mentors to guide them — that SYDNEY STRASCHNOV SYDNEY gives Brenda her drive and sense of mission. The stakes couldn’t be any clearer for her. She knows that by shar- ing stewardship of the natural world with Corps members, she isn’t just saving the environment, she’s saving lives. And, that’s why Brenda her- self got involved in conservation roughly 40 years ago. She firmly believes that getting involved in the environment is one of the best ways to anchor young people who have been beset with countless challenges faced while growing up in their environment. But, Brenda isn’t waiting for anyone to come to her. Recounting a meeting she had with a fellow conservation- ist, she says, “I asked [him] — because you know when you have these environmental meetings it’s always the same ECC members canvassing in the Congress Heights neighborhood of Southeast D.C., a high-priority

CHRISTOPHER HORN CHRISTOPHER stakeholders who show up all area for American Forests’ Community ReLeaf outreach and tree planting initiatives

AMERICANFORESTS.ORG SUMMER 2017 | 47 last look

TERRI CHAPMAN

Terri Chapman has been passionate about nature photography since the age of 16. While she has traveled extensively to photograph endangered species and magnificent landscapes, in spring 2010, she shifted her focus to capturing wildlife in urban communities. She has a particular fondness for birds and hopes that her images will inspire people to pay attention to — and appreciate — the everyday beauty of nature that surrounds them.

In her spare time, Terri raises monarch butterflies to support the dwindling population of this iconic species and advocates for people to plant milkweed in their gardens, which is the only food source of the monarch caterpillar. Terri has been an American Forests member since 2005.

48 | SPRING/SUMMERSUMMER 2017 AMERICANFORESTS.ORG 2013 AMERICANFORESTS.ORG DISH is proud to partner with American Forests. Together, we planted 78,000 trees and reduced paper waste by 50,000 pounds annually. perfect youth protection

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