Not even the wildest forest can serve the habitat needs of all creatures. As forests evolve through time, they provide habitat for different groups of species. As the structure of the forest changes, species move on or die out. That’s nature.

Dr. Allan Houston, Forester and Wildlife Biologist, Ames Plantation, Grand Junction, Tennessee, Evergreen, October, 1997

Some people believe America’s ancient forests were ordered, self-regulating and stable features of the landscape. Contrary to this myth, the species that made up an ancient forest came together only for a short time before becoming extinct or moving on when conditions changed. The shifting, sorting, extinction and evolution of species constantly created new forests with different assemblages of plants and animals. Nature’s clearcuts (fires, windstorms, diseases and insect infestations) played an important role in producing the chaos and ceaseless change that characterized the ancient forests.

Dr. Tom Bonnicksen, Forest Ecologist and noted author, Texas A&M University, Evergreen, June, 1995

Old growth is a human-imposed phrase, not a natural law. As such, it is closely tied to the mistaken idea that nature exists in perfect balance. We use the old-growth phrase now to approximate a range of structural features and processes associated with relatively old forests. From a scientific perspective, these forests are a piece in the puzzle, perhaps no more or no less important than young forests.  

Dr. Chadwick Oliver, Silviculturist, College of Forest Resources, University of Washington, Seattle, Evergreen, September-October 1993

The lesson in “Playing God” is that there is no such thing as leaving nature alone. People are part of creation. We do not have the option of choosing not to be stewards of the land. We must master the art and science of good stewardship. Environmentalists do not understand that the only way to preserve nature is to manage nature.

Dr. Alston Chase, syndicated columnist and lecturer; author of “Playing God in Yellowstone” and “In A Dark Wood,” Evergreen September 1990