Subject: young birders and our forests
Date: Apr 16 12:33:28 1996
From: Dean Drugge - drugged at belnet.bellevue.k12.wa.us


A reply to a query about our educational efforts and the current cutting
of local MBS National Forest sales of Ancient Forest.

Alan: Please excuse the late reply. This is one hectic and
consuming job. About the forest issue. Thanks for the reminder to not
lose sight of the real goal, that of educating our youth. We are talking
about the forest issues, and lack of educated press, public, and mostly
politicians on forest issues. Even more compelling this time around is
not necessarily the lack of education only, on the contrary. We now what
the ancient forest mean more than ever. This was fought and struggled
with during the early 90's and the Clinton Forest Summit stuff. Today,
it is a lack of will, and people motivated by greed that is more the
issue. The class has been to two rallies in Seattle, written numerous
letters to Clinton, Gingrich, Murray, Dunn, and even wasted out time with
Gorton. G and G are on the kid's Mortal Combat list. This spring we will
be visiting the ancient forest in the Western Cascades, Eastern Cascades,
Olympics, and Coastal. The Shakespeare play for this year is going to
emphasize endangered species and ancient forest quite heavily. There is
no excuse for what is being done to our environment and the kid's
heritage. Four years ago we took a trip to WA. D.C. and lobbied the
state's elected officials. We were amazed then how ignorant, unwilling,
and hooked by big timber myths they were, expect McDermott, Adams, and Jontz.
This year we are being more local with our energies. Our focus is on
Stewardship, and this does mean taking action to get the eduation out and
expect people (adults) to show the will and be pushed until the illusions
and myths are broken. You can check the class web pages out for more
actions in dealing with Ancient Forests and education.
http://belnet.bellevue.k12.wa.us/ardmore/ArdHomePg.html

-dean