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  • Book
  • © 2013

Forests for the People

The Story of America's Eastern National Forests

  • Offers an environmental story that has never been told: the history of the Eastern national forests, passage of the Weeks Act, and the vital role of public involvement in that landmark legislation
  • A strong narrative brings to life fascinating history of forests in a populated, urban-centered part of the United States
  • Uses lessons from the past to illuminate ways to address the threats facing Eastern forests today

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Table of contents (15 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xii
  2. Introduction

    1. Introduction

      • Christopher Johnson, David Govatski
      Pages 1-7
  3. How the Eastern National Forests Were Saved

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 9-9
    2. The Disappearing Forests of the White Mountains

      • Christopher Johnson, David Govatski
      Pages 11-30
    3. Trees to Build the Lake States

      • Christopher Johnson, David Govatski
      Pages 31-49
    4. A Forest Crisis in the Southern Appalachians

      • Christopher Johnson, David Govatski
      Pages 51-70
    5. Building a Forest Conservation Movement

      • Christopher Johnson, David Govatski
      Pages 71-92
    6. Legislation at Last: The Weeks Act

      • Christopher Johnson, David Govatski
      Pages 93-115
    7. Creating the Eastern National Forests

      • Christopher Johnson, David Govatski
      Pages 117-139
  4. Issues Facing the Eastern National Forests Today

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 141-143
    2. Holly Springs National Forest: A Study in Forest Management Reform

      • Christopher Johnson, David Govatski
      Pages 145-166
    3. Florida’s National Forests: A Revolution in Prescribed Burning

      • Christopher Johnson, David Govatski
      Pages 167-186
    4. Monongahela National Forest: Wilderness at Heart

      • Christopher Johnson, David Govatski
      Pages 187-206
    5. Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness: Preservation versus Multiple Use

      • Christopher Johnson, David Govatski
      Pages 207-227
    6. Ottawa and Hiawatha National Forests: The Return of the Wolf

      • Christopher Johnson, David Govatski
      Pages 229-247
    7. Allegheny National Forest: The Challenges of Shale Oil Drilling

      • Christopher Johnson, David Govatski
      Pages 249-272
    8. Michigan’s National Forests: The Invasion of the Emerald Ash Borer

      • Christopher Johnson, David Govatski
      Pages 273-291
    9. National Forests of Vermont and North Carolina: Loving the Forests to Death

      • Christopher Johnson, David Govatski
      Pages 293-313
  5. Back Matter

    Pages 315-394

About this book

At the turn of the twentieth century, widespread clearcutting resulted in ecological ruin and devastating fires in America’s Eastern forests. A coalition of citizens, organizations, and business and political leaders fought against this pattern, and in 1911, they achieved a landmark victory with the Weeks Act, which protected millions of acres of Eastern forests. Forests for the People tells the fascinating story of this vital legislation and the citizens and organizations that made it a reality.

While these protected forests survive today, many of the critical issues facing American forests in the twentieth century persist, and new threats have arisen—including oil shale drilling, invasive species, and development around national parks. In Forests for the People, Christopher Johnson and David Govatski draw upon the lessons and victories of the past to examine the vital issues facing American forests today and illuminate paths to better forest management.

Authors and Affiliations

  • Johnson Consulting, Evanston Illinois, USA

    Christopher Johnson

  • Formerly, US Forest Service, Jefferson New Hampshire, USA

    David Govatski

About the authors

Christopher Johnson writes on conservation issues and is the author of This Grand and Magnificent Place: The Wilderness Heritage of the White Mountains. David Govatski retired from the U.S. Forest Service after a career as a forester, silviculturist, and fire management officer on several national forests.

Bibliographic Information