Ecosystem management is essential to the survival of all species – plant and animal – within the forests. Help urge Chief Tidwell to shift forest management practices towards an ecosystem level approach that considers and balances the needs of all species.

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To:ttidwell@fs.fed.us

Email Subject

Chief Tom Tidwell U.S. Forest Service 1400 Independence Ave., S.W. Washington, DC 20250 Dear Chief Tidwell: As a supporter of American Forests, I am writing to urge you to place a greater emphasis on post-fire issues and to consider the needs of the entire forest ecosystem when applying post-fire management techniques. Because forests are complex and dynamic systems, their management must be comprehensive and should give great attention to natural disturbances and regeneration processes as well as sustainable forest management practices. Post-fire habitat plays a critical role in the lifecycle of the forest – providing food and shelter for wildlife not found in other landscapes, as well as being necessary for certain trees to regenerate. Though wildfires pose an enormous threat to natural resources, wildlife and human communities, it is widely recognized that fires are a natural part of the forest lifecycle. While I understand the need to balance the competing interests of public safety with forest health, decades of fire suppression have altered the natural cycles of many forest systems. I am concerned about post-fire management techniques in national forest landscapes that seem to emphasize salvage logging to capture economic value without providing sufficient consideration of potential impacts on plant and animal species or of potential impacts on regeneration of the next forest. Burned forests are essential to the survival of many wildlife and tree species. Some trees — like lodge pole pines — need fire to regenerate, while other species — like the black-backed woodpecker — need the habitat the burned forests provide to survive. I urge you to take a close look at the impacts salvage logging may have on indicator species, like the black-backed woodpecker, and to err on the side of caution with respect to the long-term survival of these species. As we enter the 2012 wildfire season, which is expected to be severe again this year, please reexamine the agency’s post-fire forest management practices to ensure an ecosystem level approach that considers and balances the needs of all species, both plant and animal. The Forest Service holds a great leadership position with respect to the management of forest ecosystems, and I urge your agency’s management to promote the health and survival of all species. Thank you for your time and I look forward to your response. Sincerely,

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