Synopses & Reviews
Forests for the People tells one of the most extraordinary stories of environmental protection in our nationandrsquo;s history: howand#160; a diverse coalition of citizens, organizations, and business and political leaders worked to create a system of national forests in the Eastern United States. It offers an insightful and wide-ranging look at the actions leading to the passage of the Weeks Act in 1911andmdash;landmark legislation that established a system of well-managed forests in the East, the South, and the Great Lakes regionandmdash;along with case studies that consider some of the key challenges facing eastern forests today.
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The book begins by looking at destructive practices widely used by the timber industry in the late 1800s and early 1900s, including extensive clearcutting followed by forest fire that devastated entire landscapes. The authors explain how this led to the birth of a new conservation movement that began simultaneously in the Southern Appalachians and New England, and describe the subsequent protection of forests in New England (New Hampshire and the White Mountains); the Great Lakes region (Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota), and the Southern Appalachians.and#160;
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Following this historical background, the authors offer eight case studies that examine critical issues facing the eastern national forests today, including timber harvesting, the use of fire, wilderness protection, endangered wildlife, oil shale drilling, invasive species, and development surrounding national park borders.
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Forests for the People is the only book to fully describe the history of the Weeks Act and the creation of the eastern national forests and to use case studies to illustrate current management issues facing these treasured landscapes. It is an important new work for anyone interested in the past or future of forests and forestry in the United States.
Review
“The Weeks Act of 1911 is one of the twentieth centurys most significant environmental laws. Few recall its powerful impact on once-cutover eastern forests, though their flourishing condition today is compelling evidence of its significance. Forests for the People probes this remarkable recovery and offers an engaging account of the Weeks Acts complex legacy; it rightly warns that we are not yet out of the woods.” Char Miller
Review
“Forests for the People both deepened and broadened my understanding of and appreciation for the eastern national forests and the struggle to create and manage them. By providing the first comprehensive history of the Weeks Act and then, through case studies, carefully examining the challenges of implementing the law over the last century, the authors have helped frame the discussion for managing all our national forests in its second century.” W. M. Keck Professor of Environmental Analysis, Pomona College
Review
"The book is well organized and well written in a clear, jargon-free style....With its clear, straightforward style,
Forests for the People is a valuable information source for researchers, students, and concerned members of the public."
Review
andquot;The bookand#39;s overall structure, split between historical narrative and case studies, makes it ideal for classroom use ... In documenting the path taken to create and manage the national forests of the eastern United Statesandmdash;a very different path from that of their western counterpartsandmdash;the book illuminates crucial issues facing Americaand#39;s national forests, East and Westandquot;
Review
andquot;gripping detail... fascinating historic context...Our forests need many heroes. Johnson and Govatski provide the background, issues and motivation for the people to join a historical procession of championsandmdash;champions who have always been essential to protecting forests.andquot;
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"A nice blend of the history of our national forests and the current issues challenging them."
Review
“The first part of the volume provides the most detailed coverage of the establishment of eastern national forests that this reviewer has ever seen......a resource for students of both US forest history and forest policy.”
CHOICE
Review
"In short, this book provides an academically rigorous yet thoroughly absorbing account of the national forests of the eastern USA, from formation impetuses through to the breadth of present-day management challenges and solutions."
Review
"In sum, this book is a valuable resource for those who seek to better understand the evolution of forest policy, for environmentalists interested in developing effective strategies for collaborating with forest managers, and for historians seeking a concise overview of the development of the eastern forests. It is also likely to send readers into their gear closets, inspired to pursue new adventures in formerly unfamiliar parts of the eastern national forests."
Synopsis
At the turn of the twentieth century, widespread clearcutting resulted in ecological ruin and devastating fires in Americaand#8217;s Eastern forests. A coalition of citizens, organizations, and business and political leadersand#160;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 theand#160;citizens and organizations that made it a reality.and#160;
While these protected forests survive today, many of the critical issues facing American forests in the twentieth century persist, and new threats have arisenand#8212;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.and#160;
About the Author
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.
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments
Introduction
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PART I. How the Eastern National Forests Were Saved
Chapter 1. The Disappearing Forests of the White Mountains
Chapter 2. Trees to Build the Lake States
Chapter 3. A Forest Crisis in the Southern Appalachians
Chapter 4. Building a Forest Conservation Movement
Chapter 5. Legislation at Last: The Weeks Act
Chapter 6. Creating the Eastern National Forests
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PART II. Issues Facing the Eastern National Forests Today
Chapter 7. Holly Springs National Forest: A Study in Forest Management Reform
Chapter 8. Floridaand#8217;s National Forests: A Revolution in Prescribed Burning
Chapter 9. Monongahela National Forest: Wilderness at Heart
Chapter 10. Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness: Preservation Versus Multiple Use
Chapter 11. Ottawa and Hiawatha National Forests: The Return of the Wolf
Chapter 12. Allegheny National Forest: The Challenges of Shale Oil Drilling
Chapter 13. Michiganand#8217;s National Forests: The Invasion of the Emerald Ash Borer
Chapter 14. National Forests of Vermont and North Carolina: Loving the Forests to Death
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Conclusion
Notes
Selected Bibliography
Index