Forest Watch

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Wild South is the only regional organization that actively monitors every timber sale, mining and drilling proposal, road building project, pesticide/herbicide “treatment” and ORV route designation through our Forest Watch program.

Most simply described as “watch dogging,” the goal of Wild South’s Forest Watch program is to review and comment on project proposals put forth by public land management agencies (U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service) on behalf of our members to be sure they: 1) comply with environmental laws; 2) protect biodiversity and ecological functions of forested ecosystems; and 3) act in the best interest of the public.

We monitor all the National Forests and Parks in six primary states: AL, GA, NC, SC, TN, & VA, and research federal actions that may adversely affect biological diversity through field surveys, or “ground-truthing.” Where important information is lacking or legal violations exist, Wild South informs the appropriate agency and demands compliance with existing laws. In addition, we suggest alternative activities early in the planning process to assist the agency in making sound environmental and economic decisions. When necessary, we challenge decisions that threaten biodiversity or violate our laws.

Wild South coordinates its Forest Watch program in the southeast through grassroots organizing and citizen empowerment. We empower others to recognize the vital role citizens must play in protecting our federal public lands and to develop the skills necessary to participate in this process by hosting educational workshops and field trips.

The success of our Forest Watch program depends on the vigilance of dedicated citizens like you who keep a watchful eye on our public lands to ensure the protection of forests for future generations.

To learn more about what activities we are monitoring click on the states below:

Alabama Georgia North Carolina

South Carolina Tennessee Virginia

Downloads:

Guide to Ground-truthing

How to Protect Your National Forests

Learn the Truth About Timber Sales

Forest Service Releases New Planning Rule

The US Forest Service has released it's preliminary rule for how our National Forests will be managed in the future. The so called "NFMA Rule" is a long anticipated result that has involved the vigilance of conservation groups and citizens for several years. Initial responses give the newly released rule a favorable response. As always Wild South will remain committed to an ecologically sound and principled approach to caring for our public lands.

Conservation Vision 2012

In 2012 our efforts will focus on landscape-scale initiatives to expand our protection of public lands and biodiversity while maintaining an important support role in region-wide Forest Watch activities.

This "Conservation Vision" is rooted in the science and philosophy of conservation biology and is inspired by the groundbreaking work of the Southern Appalachian Forest Coalition and their "Return the Great Forest" Campaign.

We will keep you informed as these various initiatives develop. To learn more about specific areas of interest contact Ben Prater.

Download a High Res PDF of this map here.

Urgent Public Comments

Urgent: Public Comments are needed for these proposed Timber Sales on our public lands in North Carolina!

The Upper Santeetlah and Haystack Projects are both Timber Sales that threaten old growth stands, rare wildlife and plant species and culturally significant areas.

Click here to send a letter with Wild South concerning the Upper Santeetlah Project Timber Sale that threatens areas abuting the Joyce Kilmer Slickrock Wilderness Area.

Click Here to send a letter with Wild South concerning the "Haystack Project" Timber Sale that threatens old-growth trees and timber very close to the Appalachian Trail.

Questions on the Forest Planning Rule

By Peter Nelson, Director, Federal Lands Program, Defenders of Wildlife

Published March 22, 2011 -- http://experts.defendersblog.org/2011/03/our-questions-on-the-forest-planning-rule

Defenders of Wildlife have been blogging since early February in anticipation of the draft Planning Rule of the National Forest Management Act. This Act and its associated rule determine how our nation's National Forests and Grasslands are managed and how their management plans are developed.

The draft rule has been released and now it's time for the public to weigh in. We have presented a list of the most important questions about the new rule below. These questions were written by Defenders of Wildlife and because they align with those of Wild South we wanted to share them with you in their entirety.

Conservation Initiatives

Campaigns

Outreach

Get Out There!

Published March 22, 2011 -- http://experts.defendersblog.org/2011/03/our-questions-on-the-forest-planning-rule