Blowing Rock, NC -- Ecologists across the state are at odds over how to manage the Globe Forest.  In February, the U.S. Forest Service proposed to log 231 acres of the Pisgah National Forest a mile south of Blowing Rock, NC. 

In an unusual move, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) recently endorsed the federal agency’s plan to log the Globe Forest.  But several ecologists have challenged their arguments, claiming the state agency is way off the mark.

According to their release, NCWRC supports the project because of benefits to fish and wildlife by creating vital habitat needed by bear, turkey, deer and some declining songbird species that need forest clearings or “early successional habitat (ESH).” 

Hugh Irwin, an ecologist with the Southern Appalachian Forest Coalition, argues that the agencies need to look beyond the national forest boundaries.  "There's never been a comprehensive analysis to determine how much [ESH] is provided by private lands adjacent to national forest lands. Furthermore, the Forest Service has never accounted for natural gaps that occur in the forest every year.”

"If a truly unbiased and scientific analysis determines the need for even more early succession than already occurs, then the Forest Service should focus on restoring the old clearcuts they've logged in the past,” said Irwin. “This would create wildlife openings, while restoring stands that have suffered from past abuse. This way, mature forests, which also provide wildlife habitat, would remain intact.”

Bob Gale, an ecologist with the Western North Carolina Alliance, added that the agencies neglect to look at the big picture when they assert that logging the Globe would benefit certain songbird species.

“The habitat is already there,” Gale said. "Studies show that power line easements alone provide more than enough habitat to sustain populations of golden winged warblers and other early successional species. What many songbirds need are mature forests for nesting and rearing their young, yet that’s exactly what the Forest Service want to chop down.”

In their release, NCWRC said they support the logging proposal because of its “anticipated benefits to fish and wildlife.”

"To say that this proposal will benefit fish is mind boggling," said Ben Prater, an ecologist with Southern Appalachian Biodiversity Project.  "Previous timber sales in the area, such as the Frankum Creek sale, wiped out trout populations and extirpated brook trout from nearby streams."

"Government agencies tend to support each other," said Lamar Marshall, a member of the Friends of Grandfather/Blowing Rock Scenic Views.  "The Forest Service claims that they are creating vital habitat for turkey, grouse, bear and certain songbirds.  Isn't it amazing that these species thrived for thousands of years before the timber industry showed up to save them?"

For more information contact:

Ben Prater, SABP – 828.258.2667; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Hugh Irwin, SAFC – 828.252.9223; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Bob Gale, WNCA – 828.258.8737; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Lamar Marshall, Friends of Grandfather/Blowing Rock Scenic Views, 256.810.4710, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it