Overview
- 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)
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Front Matter
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Introduction
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How the Eastern National Forests Were Saved
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Front Matter
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Issues Facing the Eastern National Forests Today
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Front Matter
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Back Matter
Keywords
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
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
Book Title: Forests for the People
Book Subtitle: The Story of America's Eastern National Forests
Authors: Christopher Johnson, David Govatski
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5822/978-1-61091-215-0
Publisher: Island Press Washington, DC
eBook Packages: Earth and Environmental Science, Earth and Environmental Science (R0)
Copyright Information: Island Press 2013
eBook ISBN: 978-1-61091-215-0Published: 08 August 2013
Edition Number: 1
Number of Pages: X, 394
Topics: Environment, general, Ecology, Forestry, Conservation Biology/Ecology, Ecosystems