We have been deluged by responses to Barry Wynsma's thoughtful essay on Forest Service leadership - or the lack thereof. Provided here is some feedback on the essay.
W.V. "Mac" McConnell writes from Florida. He is a U.S. Forest Service retiree whose Power Point presentations have appeared on our website many times. His latest efforts are nearby: an updated version of his earlier "Timber Resource Management" Power Point and a fascinating photograph, "One Landscape: Four Views," that shows what is happening on adjacent public and private forests at Deep Creek, near Townsend, Montana.
Editor's comment concerning Mike Petersen's (Executive Director - Lands Council) Response To Dr. Tom Bonnicksen's Essay, "Death Of A Forest: Why We Should Care"
Craig Thomas, a Stevensville, Montana logger is in Kansas, using part of his equipment to clear brush for a pipeline that will bring oil from Canada into the Midwest. See "This is Embarrassing" in "Editor's Column."
We asked Craig to write us now and then and let us know how he's doing. Attached is his first letter home. As you'll see, he hasn't lost his sense of humor, though he is more than 1,200 miles away from forests that really need his help!
Craig Thomas Letter #1
This "little dab" of brush probably contains about 1200 gallons of diesel fuel energy. And, just think! We burn this stuff all the time - and pollute the air we breathe while we're at it! Isn't that great? Our West, where I'd be working if there was any work, we call these "forest fires". You'd think Congress would "get it" but they don't. So, we continue to burn down our forests, our economy and grandchildren's heritage, just because some goof-ball somewhere thinks those awful fires are "natural". (Craig Thomas Letter #1)
human need to use natural resources is fundamental to our continued presence on earth."