The Forest Service is accepting comments on their red spruce restoration plan, and the deadline is fast approaching — September 5th.

Historically, red spruce forests dominated West Virginia’s Appalachian Highlands, providing critical habitat for species like the West Virginia northern flying squirrel. However, clear-cutting and subsequent wildfires decimated these forests, leaving behind fragmented ecosystems. The Forest Service’s plan to restore these habitats in the Mon Forest and three other Appalachian forests is a vital step forward, but it must be backed by a thorough Environmental Assessment (EA).

We’re urging the Forest Service to:

• Clearly outline the goals, best practices, and monitoring for red spruce restoration in the EA.
• Establish baseline measurements for existing red spruce and soil conditions.
• Ensure that restoration is focused on ecological benefits, not tied to timbering.
• Prioritize projects based on a detailed inventory of historic red spruce areas, with a commitment to ongoing research.

Your voice can make a difference! Sign our petition by September 5th to ensure that this plan is thoroughly studied and science-based. Click here to add your voice, or use the button below.

Thank you for advocating for cool water, healthy forests, and the West Virginia northern flying squirrel!

More soon,

WV Rivers