It's chilling, but true: The great American forest is disappearing.
A runaway outbreak of pine beetles has laid waste to millions upon millions of acres of gorgeous western pine forests. The beetles feed, lay eggs, and spread fungus in the trees, ultimately killing them. [1, 2] The Pacific Northwest, and even states as far east as New Jersey, could be next.
This is devastating news for the forests' wildlife -- especially grizzly bear cubs. If nothing changes, we'll have to tell our children and grandchildren stories of a vast pine forest full of wildlife that they'll never get to hike, smell, or even see. The Rocky Mountains and Black Hills could sound more like imaginary fairy-tale forests than actual places -- will our kids even believe us?
There's still time for Congress to help save our forests. Together, we can make sure 50,000 letters are waiting for our lawmakers when the Senate comes back from recess on Monday!
Send your letter today -- tell Congress to save our forests and their wildlife from this urgent threat!
A big key to this fight is listing whitebark pine -- an important food source for grizzlies -- as an endangered species. More than 70% of Yellowstone's whitebark is already gone, and the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has said it warrants protection under the Endangered Species Act. Saving this keystone species would be a big breakthrough in the larger fight against pine beetles, but FWS won't list it because they don't have the funds to take action.
Even though science says protecting the species is "warranted," a federal judge just ruled that he can't order Congress to help FWS. The ruling will be appealed, but for now, it's up to you to convince your elected leaders to act.
Tell your representative and senators to fund whitebark pine as an endangered species -- this could be a huge breakthrough in the fight to save our treasured forests from pine beetles!
This dire threat to our forests is yet another impact of climate change. The beetles are not an invasive species, but warmer winters mean fewer deep freezes to control their population, and longer summers mean more time to feast. The result: dead forest as far as the eye can see.
You can identify beetle-killed trees by their rust-colored needles. Red is a great color for leaves in the fall, but not for pines in the summer -- when I visit my parents in Idaho and see my favorite childhood mountains turned red and barren, it breaks my heart anew each year.
Raise your voice and tell Congress: Stop delaying! Our children and grandchildren deserve to experience America's forests too!