 Several students at Appalachian State University are banding together to help prevent the sale of over 200 acres of the Globe Forest, an old growth forest located near Grandfather Mountain. Photo by Ansley Alyse Chappell | The Appalachian The U.S. Forest Service proposed a plan in 2006 to sell over 200 acres of Appalachian old-growth forest to private logging companies called the Globe Forest Management Plan.
“We are a group of concerned individuals in the process of forming a group and extended network[s],” M. Al Scotton, a Save the Globe student organizer said. “Awareness of this travesty is rising, with groups from Raleigh and Asheville joining the cause.”
Organized student protests to halt clear-cutting have worked previously.
“In January, protestors associated with Climate Ground Zero and Mountain Justice halted blasting on Coal River Mountain in West Virginia with a three-person tree-sit,” Scotton said.
The Globe Forest is one of the few remaining old-growth forests on the East Coast, and to cut it down would be irresponsible because destroying such a rare natural habitat is not sustainable, Scotton said.
Students involved in the group are planning to organize a panel of Appalachian professors to discuss the environmental effects of cutting old and mature-growth forests. They also wish to create a direct-action camp to teach skills helpful for forest defense.
“We hope to create a support network as a foundation for demonstrations and awareness-raising actions throughout the semester,” Scotton said.
Students interested in becoming involved with saving the Globe Forest can visit their Web site at savetheglobe.wordpress.com or e-mail
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.
Story: LAURENCE HENRIQUEZ, Intern News Reporter
Photo: ANSLEY ALYSE CHAPPELL, Intern Photographer |
