 Massachusetts
is home to some of the country's most treasured forests and parks. These
open spaces provide us with outdoor activities, such as hiking and
picnicking, but are also essential in maintaining a balance of oxygen
and carbon dioxide. The chapter's goal is to protect our forests and
parks from threats and abuse. Working with our environmental allies and
state agencies, we seek to limit or discontinue logging, clearcutting,
and other practices that lead to the degradation or destruction of these
treasured lands.The Sierra Club supports halting the destruction of
forest ecosystems throughout the United States. We oppose all logging
activities -- whether on federal, state, provincial, or private lands --
that are environmentally unsustainable, or that jeopardize fully
functioning forest ecosystems. We support the immediate halt of: all
logging in remaining old-growth areas, ecologically destructive
clearcutting, and conversions to non-native species.
The Club supports restoring naturally self-sustaining networks of
wild forests for every forest ecosystem. Where forests have been damaged
or fragmented, we call for the restoration of the ecosystem with native
plants and animals, and establishment of biological corridors to link
isolated stands.
The Club supports dramatically reducing the consumption of virgin
wood products through recycling, reuse, and the use of environmentally
acceptable alternative materials. Phasing out logging on
ecologically sensitive lands, regardless of ownership, is a high
priority.
Threatened Lands
Throughout the State, we have been documenting lands that are
threatened and/or damaged. Click here for
more.
Mt. Wachusett
Located in central Massachusetts, Mt. Wachusett is a public parkland
and the state’s highest peak east of the Connecticut River. The park is
home to the state’s fourth largest stand of Old Growth Forest,
recognized for its unique features and value as a historical and
scientific resource. Also located on Mt Wachusett is a commercial
downhill ski area, privately owned and operated. The ski area's
expansion has resulted in destruction and damage to the Old Growth
Forest. Click here for more
Forest Management on Massachusetts Public Lands
Recognizing the need for early successional habitat to create the
environment necessary for diversity of species.
Click here for more
The Parks Protection Package
A legislative initiative to protect our state's parks and forests.
Click here for more |
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