In The News
‘We’re not even in the worst of it yet,’ says Fire Expert
BBC
Hanson explains it is still considered to be wildfire season in this part of California and the biggest influence in the current fires is the Santa Ana winds. “These winds are unique to southern California and it results in extreme, sustained wind events with pretty dramatic gusts,” Hanson adds. “It is a double whammy as we have already had dry conditions because of a lack of rain – then the winds dry things out further.”
Read MoreDr. Chad Hanson on The Deception of Thinning & Fire Prevention
By Jonathan Ratner
The Wildlife News
In this episode of the Our Public Lands podcast, Dr. Chad Hanson of the John Muir Project discusses forest protection, fire ecology, and the deceptive practices of federal land management agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service. Chad critically examines the Forest Service’s narrative around logging disguised as fuel reduction and forest health projects, revealing the detrimental effects on biodiversity, carbon emissions, and community safety.
Read MoreBiden Had a Chance to Protect Ancient Trees — And Failed
By Chris D’Angelo
HuffPost
Reflecting on the last four years, [Dr. Chad] Hanson, of the Earth Island Institute, argued that the current situation is worse than Biden simply failing to cement a meaningful legacy on old growth trees.
“They’re handing a series of ultra-regressive logging policies to Donald Trump with a bow on it,” Hanson said, adding that he expects the new administration will take “maximum advantage.”
Read More‘Truly Random’ or Sealed Fate? Why Some Homes Survived the Mountain Fire While Others Burned
By Noah Haggerty
Los Angeles Times
Some fire researchers say taking simple steps to clear yards, roofs and gutters of flammable vegetation and ensuring there is absolutely no opening for embers to get inside – whether a dog door, a vent or an open window – can virtually fireproof a home.
Read MoreLogging on Public Lands Has Increased Despite President Biden’s Forest Protection Efforts
By Clayton Sandell
Scripps News
There is concern among scientists and conservation groups that the administration isn’t doing enough to preserve old growth and mature forests on public land.
Read MoreFirefighting Tactics in California Need to Change, An Expert Tells KNX News
KNX News
Hanson, author of Smokescreen: Debunking Wildfire Myths to Save Our Forests and Our Climate, said, “[CAL Fire and the US Forest Service] do some things that are really helpful and are very productive and effective and some things that are not. So it’s really kind of a mixed bag.”
Read MoreControversy Erupts Over Biden’s Old Growth Forest Protection Amid Increased Logging Activity
By Ryner
Weather News Point
The US Forest Service, responsible for managing national forests and a significant portion of the country’s old growth, has not included mature trees in its new conservation strategy. Conservationists argue that the plan has loopholes that permit continued logging of centuries-old trees and that required reviews of logging projects are not being properly conducted, endangering the remaining old growth forests.
Read MoreUS Forest Service Failing to Protect Old Growth Trees From Logging, Critics Say
The Guardian
“The largest logging projects I’ve ever seen are targeting the last, best remaining old growth trees left in the country,” said Chad Hanson, a forest ecologist and co-founder of the John Muir Project. “The situation is rampant as far as I can tell and it risks squandering a once-in-a-generation opportunity to protect these incredible forests.”
Read MoreWhat Does the Supreme Court’s Chevron Decision Mean For a Potential Second Trump Term?
By Clark Mindock
Landmark
“The truth is the Chevron decision has been a mixed bag for the environment because deference to agency interpretations of environmental laws is only helpful if the agencies are trying to protect the environment,” said Chad Hanson, a forest ecologist with the Earth Island Institute’s John Muir Project.
Read MoreAs Wildfires Rage in Oregon, Tree-Sitters Continue Protests to Protect Old Growth Trees
By Vanessa Arredondo
Reckon
“These unchecked logging practices would lead to increased wildfire risk while also weakening environmental safeguards … that are crucial to maintaining these ecosystems and ensuring that these activities don’t harm endangered species or degrade the environment,” said Jennifer Mamola, the advocacy and policy director, for the John Muir Project.
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