Biden Administration Takes Action to Safeguard Old Growth Forests Amid Climate Threats

In a historic move, the Biden administration is taking steps to protect old-growth trees on federal land by revising management plans for national forests and grasslands across the United States. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack outlined the administration’s commitment to an “ecologically-driven” approach for older forests, marking the first nationwide amendment to U.S. Forest Service management plans in its 118-year history.

The proposal aims to address climate change-related threats, including wildfires, insects, and disease, which endanger these vital ecosystems. The initiative is seen as a compromise, limiting commercial timber harvests in old-growth forests while allowing logging in “mature forests.” The decision underscores the administration’s dedication to resiliency and protecting existing old growth from imminent threats, striking a balance between environmental conservation and industry interests.