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Our Vanishing Forests

Our Vanishing Forests

OUR VANISHING FORESTS examines the history and policies of the U.S. Forest Service (USFS). In 1891 large tracts of U.S. forests were established as reserves in an effort to improve and protect our native forests. In 1906 these areas were designated National Forests and the USFS was empowered to manage them for the public trust.

Gifford Pinchot, the first head of the USFS, supported selective cutting as a means to conserve timber in balance with its use. Yet today less than 90% of our native National Forests remain. Since World War II, clearcutting has become the practice preferred by the USFS, and the rate of timber harvest from the National Forests has tripled. If we continue cutting at the current rate, we will wipe out all of our remaining forests within 20 years.

This film shows how the USFS, once the steward of wilderness, has abandoned its conservation ethic and now favors the interests of the timber industry.