how big is tongass national forest

We have not rebounded from the boarding schools and blatant attempts at colonization, because colonization is still happening, and we're having to fight it every day, Anderson says. ) or https:// means you've safely Tongass National Forest is found near Ketchikan in southeast Alaska and is easily accessible from Juneau via a 14.5-mile drive. Gordon Chew of the Tenakee Logging Company believes it is. Water falls as rain and snow and feeds the temperate rain forest. Fall Colors the Muskeg on Alaska's Tongass National Forest The water routes are the gateway for Alaska visitors. The forest has long been the centre of intense conflict between conservationists and logging companies. Unlike most places in the Lower 48, it is wind, and not fire, that disturbs the forest, sometimes toppling acres of trees at a time. Every time you pay federal taxes, youre contributing to these lands. We want to preserve everything around us and then at the same time, theres economic development, White says. Tourists would come by ship, but now there are no cruise ships to speak of because of COVID, says Tlingit carver Nathan Jackson, a National Endowment for the Arts Fellow and one of the most well-known totem pole carvers in the world. If a person really wants to support good art, then they should go to the good art stores and galleries in town that sell from artists who are trying to make a living.. The spruce, hemlock and cedar trees of the Tongass have been a source of timber for. Our traditional medicines are from here. Past ways still flourish. When Joel Jackson walks into the dense woodlands of the Tongass, he walks among giants. Alaska Natives have continuously inhabited the Tongass for more than 10,000 years, residing with salmon, bears, wolves, eagles, and whales. The Tongass National Forest in Alaska, . USDA Announces Southeast Alaska Sustainability Strategy, Initiates While some glaciers remain perched above sea level, others, called "tidewater glaciers" deliver their icy cargo into the ocean. 66 likes, 4 comments - k (@travelwithvix) on Instagram: " Tongass National Forest, Alaska. It is their home as it has been for thousands of years, and it provides a source of food security. This happened to an entire generation of our people.. The Tongass National Forest ( / ts /) in Southeast Alaska is the largest U.S. National Forest at 16.7 million acres (26,100 sq mi; 6,800,000 ha; 68,000 km 2 ). 2023 BBC. The jewel in all this forest is the Tongass in Alaska, 16.8 million acres. Weve had so little snow the last number of winters, weve seen a big die off of yellow cedar. Tongass National Forest spans 5.7 million acres of raw backcountry. Biden restores protections to Alaska's Tongass National Forest Video, Elton John ends farewell tour after 52 years of 'pure joy', Clashes at Eritrea festival injure 26 German police, Syrian government cancels BBC press accreditation, Mexican journalist's body found in Nayarit, Violent protesters storm Georgia LGBT event, Families of Boeing 737 crash victims seek answers, Dutch government collapses over asylum row. There is a trade-off between logging and healthy salmon populations, Berner says. The paychecks and jobs have dried up, but the forest, our deer and moose populations, and our salmon streams have not yet recovered from this era. Science can explain why. In the past, scientists were divided on whether it was better to focus on the stewardship of ancient forests, or to prioritize the replanting of new, young forests. Coastal temperate rain forests extend from Kodiak Island along the coast to California "fogbelt" redwoods. Today, there are still over 100,000 glaciers in Alaska, although ice covers only 5 percent of the state. Normal summer highs average 55 to 60 degrees, with winter highs hovering around 30 to 35. Can France prevent tensions igniting again? Located only 15 miles from Juneau, youll be tucked away in nature but still be close enough to the action. In the Tongass National Forest, which covers most of Southeast Alaska, trees can be sorted in two categories, old growth and young growth. Follow him on, Rare octopus nursery found, teeming with surprises, Animals trapped in war zones find a second chance here, How extreme heat affects our petsand how to help them, This place may have the highest density of great white sharks, Controversial oil drilling paused in Namibian wilderness, Dolphin moms use 'baby talk' with their calves, Earth's shifting magnetic poles don't cause climate change, This ancient society tried to stop El Niowith child sacrifice. We've already seen wild salmon populations decline in much of western North America because of watershed deterioration, and exempting the relatively pristine Tongass National Forest from the roadless rule would adversely affect fisheries as well as recreation and tourism, which are huge elements of the economy in Southeast Alaska, Berner says. Marine mammals are also abundant. In 2018, some 19 million board feet of timber were cut in the Tongass, down from more than 100 million board feet in 1999, two years before the roadless rule took effect. It doesnt get much better than an adventure in Alaska, and its no surprise that it tops the bucket list of many travelers. To us as [Tlingit] people, this forest is important. Theodore Roosevelt (formal legislation declaring it a national forest was signed into law in 1909). Within these schools, there were reports of physical and sexual abuse, and children were beaten for speaking their native langauages, according to a University of Alaska study on the long-term effect of boarding schools on Alaska Natives. Every year, one of natures great marvels unfolds within the nutrient-rich freshwater streams of the Tongass: Millions of salmon return to spawn. Help defend the towering old-growth trees of the Tongass National Forest from clearcutting. At roughly the size of West Virginia, the Tongass National Forest is also the largest national forest in the U.S. and home to approximately 70,000 people living in 32 communities, including the state capital, Juneau. Tides in Southeast Alaska, while not as severe as some of the tides further north, have a variation of as much as 25 feet in one 6-hour period. Glacier Nalu Campground Resort is approximately 14 miles from downtown Juneau, making it the perfect base for your adventures. Why did these shark hunters bury their dead with extra limbs? It stretches from the southern tip of Prince of Wales Island 500 miles north to the Hubbard Glacier just north of Yakutat. In spring, a eulachon (sea-run smelt) run lures hundreds of eagles to the Stikine River Delta near Wrangell. Rainfall in Southeast Alaska varies from two to 25 feet each year, depending on location. That includes the forest, the beaches, the sky, and our totem poles and carvings come from the old growth, red and yellow cedar trees., Yahguudang, a Haida phrase that means respect for all living beings, has driven the cultural, environmental, political, and business decisions of the Haida people for more than 10,000 years. If the forests are allowed to grow, they can continue to accumulate live carbon for hundreds of years, as observed in the Pacific Northwest, Law says. Tongass sees over a million visitors each year, many of whom arrive via cruise ship to the southeastern Alaska area. The ancient spruce and cedar trees tower like sentinels above him in this vast northwest rainforest where his ancestors once lived. USA. Legal Notices Privacy Policy Contact National Audubon, Type in your search and hit Enter on desktop or hit Go on mobile device. Our Largest National Forest Is at Risk The Roadless Rule protects our nation's forests from clear-cut logging and roadbuilding. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Porcupine at Mendenhall Glacier. Forest Service photo by Jon Gellings. The Tongass is the nation's largest national forest and covers most of Southeast Alaska, surrounding the famous Inside Passage and offers unique chances to view eagles, bears, spawning salmon, and the breath-taking vistas of "wild" Alaska. This means that Tongass National Forest is about 1,000 square miles larger than the state of West Virginia. Tongass National Forest 5 146 reviews #3 of 55 things to do in Ketchikan Forests Visit website Write a review About The nation's largest national forest. The Tongass National Forest Road Trip Guide We will be working to meet with his transition team to discuss these matters and make sure he follows through, Jackson says. Our federal tax ID is 52-1786332. A logger begins cutting and delimbing a recently felled tree. In combination with British Columbia's Great Bear Rainforest immediately to the south, the region encompasses the largest intact temperate rainforest on earth. Gloria Burns, a dancer of Haida descendant, leads fellow community members in a song before a traditional dance performance. Bring Home a Story! The revenue created as a result of the cruise industry significantly boosts the local economy. Major funding for NOVA is provided by the NOVA Science Trust, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and PBS viewers. Well send you the 50 Best Free Campsites in the USA (one per state). Earth just set a heat record. From farm to fork in Fresno County, California, Where to find the best Nashville hot chicken, Before you go hiking, read life-saving tips from first responders, How to go gorilla hiking in Uganda on a budget, Jewel of the Balkans: 6 unmissable adventures in Herzegovina, Photograph by Joshua Cogan, National Geographic, Joel Jackson, the tribal president of the Organized Village of Kake. The Forest Service strives to find the right balance, so that people may continue to find both inspiration and a way of life in this vast, unparalleled place. At the request of the State of Alaska, and after an environmental impact investigation, the USDA exempted Tongass National Forest from this rule in 2020. The Tongass also supports abundant fish and wildlife, including all five species of Pacific salmon, brown (grizzly) bears, wolves, Sitka black-tailed deer, Bald Eagles, Northern Goshawks, and Marbled Murrelets. But he said this is because of factors such as rising fuel prices for transporting timber from an isolated Alaska and not due to the roadless rule. Brown and black bears gorge themselves on salmon in preparation for hibernation, bald eagles feast on the spoils of these fish, and wolves even wade into the rivers to hunt for salmon. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Trump Administration Releases Plan to Open Tongass Forest to Logging A rollback of federal protections puts more than half of it at risk. Biden administration reinstates roadless rule for Alaska's Tongass This Dreamy Alaskan Rainforest is a Buffer Against Climate Change Auk Village Campground has sites that can accommodate RVs from 14 to 35 in length. When logging companies go in and clear-cut these massive trees on a steep slope, there is a huge amount of sediment runoff because of how much it rains in Southeast Alaska, sometimes as much as 12-and-a-half feet annually, which can cause landslides and choke salmon streams, Berner explains. At almost 17 million acres, the Tongass National Forest is the largest National Forest in the United States. At nearly 17 million acres, the Tongass National Forest in Southeast Alaska is the largest national forest in the United States. In fact, its location makes it easily accessible and a great addition to your Alaskan tour. And feel free to bring a furry friend, as leashed dogs are allowed. Get updates about our conservation work and how to help birds. The 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule forbids road construction or reconstruction and timber harvesting on certain national lands. WASHINGTON (AP) The Biden administration said Thursday that it is ending large-scale, old-growth timber sales in the country's largest national forest the Tongass National Forest in. website belongs to an official government organization in the Mike Dunleavy said in hisState of the State address in January. Lichens adorn the trees with a mosaic of colors and textures, moss and ferns carpet the forest floor in lush green hues, and crystal-clear streams carve their way toward the Pacific Ocean. The Roadless Rule protects our nations forests from clear-cut logging and roadbuilding. On October 28, 2020, the Trump administration announced it would strip the forest from being protected by the 2001 Roadless Rule Act, an initiative that prevented the construction of new roads and logging in currently roadless areas of United States national forests. Others defend the need to go to the woods and waters to make their living. There are water spigots located throughout the area, and a dumpster and vault toilet are available, but no showers. Thats a large forest! In the Tongass National Forest, which covers most of Southeast Alaska, trees can be sorted in two categories, old growth and young growth. www.earthshare.org To Joel Jackson, tribal president of the Organized Village of Kake, no one is more interested in the future prosperity of these lands than the Indigenous first peoples of Alaska: Our lands and waters provide us with our food, our cultural resources, the ability to practice our way of life, Jackson says. For Alaska Natives, healthy old-growth forests and salmon streams are integral to the future of their communities. A rollback of federal protections puts more than half of it at risk. The nutrient-rich waters of the Tongass produce about 50 millionsalmonvalued at $60 million annually, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The Tongass has over 150 rustic cabins scattered at remote lakes and seaside locations from Humpback Lake south of Ketchikan to Situk Lake north of Yakutat. The National Audubon Society protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow, throughout the Americas using science, advocacy, education, and on-the-ground conservation. The Tongass is our food pantry.,

At the end of his 13-day journey through Alaskas Gates of the Arctic National Park, photographer Kiliii Yyan captured the iconic Takahula Lake and the Alatna River. The Tongass National Forest of Southeast Alaska is home to part of the Emerald Edge the largest intact temperate rainforest remaining on Earth. Learn how to navigate the site and discover all it has to offer. A bathhouse provides a flushable toilet and hot showers, certainly useful after a day of adventure. She said there's a big difference. Alaska temperate rain forests are comprised of thick stands of Sitka spruce, yellow-cedar, redcedar, and western and mountain hemlock. That's a large forest! Tongass National Forest covers most of the Alaska panhandle and is the largest publicly owned forest in the United States. This dangerous drop highlights the regions reliance on cruise tourism, a rich but troubling source of revenue that is often criticized for polluting air quality, contributing to overtourism, and leaving behind a wake of waste. argument that many scientists disagree with: U.S. Forest Services draft environmental impact statement, carbon absorption rate accelerates as the tree ages, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), 90% of rural households in Southeast Alaska consume salmon. U.S. Forest Service awards grants to boost Tongass logging What the artists do benefit from, however, are the tourist dollars from visitors who come to the Tongass for the views and stay to learn about the forests history and the people who live there. Tidal highs and lows alternate every 6.5 hours. Corrections? If small campgrounds are your sweet spot, Auk Village Campground is the place for you. "I describe walking into the forest as walking into one of the most beautiful cathedrals you'll ever find in the world," he said. Tongass National Forest | Alaska Wilderness League Visitors also travel to the Juneau Ice Field via helicopter and take organized boat trips into Misty Fiords and Tracy Arm. Camping there overnight, of course! Gordon Chew, a co-owner of Tenakee Logging Company, a small family-owned business in the area, said lumber jobs have declined in the Tongass National Forest over the past three decades. Each year, nearly one million visitors travel through the Tongass National Forest aboard cruise ships or the Alaska Marine Highway ferries. Tongass National Forest - Districts Hikers report this trail can get muddy after heavy rain and snow. The Tongass is home to some of the last remaining old-growth temperate rainforest in the world. The Forest Service maintains bear viewing facilities at Fish Creek (Hyder), Margaret Creek (Ketchikan), Anan Creek (Wrangell), and Pack Creek (Juneau). Pro Tip: Heres how to drive to Alaska, safely. 672 were here. This is a shorter trail, so the NFS suggests not bringing snacks that could lure bears and other wildlife to your location. The Tongass National Forest contains fourteen percent of the world total acreage of these productive forests. Tongass National Forest (907) 586-8806. Brown bear, black bear, wolves and Sitka black-tailed deer thrive in this landscape, and it is one of the planet's greatest wild salmon nurseries. website belongs to an official government organization in the Official websites use .gov A .gov In combination with British Columbia's Great Bear Rainforest immediately to the south, the region encompasses the largest intact temperate rainforest on earth. As with many Indigenous people, the tribal groups of the Northwest Coast were in danger of losing their heritage and their identity, but they have valuable lessons to share.. Potential negative effects on the Tongass may be ameliorated and may be completely reversed with time, reducing or eliminating potential negative cumulative effects on carbon and climate, noted the U.S. Forest Services draft environmental impact statement (DEIS). Furthermore, its easternmost section serves as an international border between Alaska and Canada. Again, leashed dogs are permitted. We hunt and gather here. (Related: Learn more about the biggest fake Native American art conspiracy.). Gold in this era drew thousands of fortune-seekers up though the Inside Passage to the towns of Douglas, Juneau and Skagway. Tongass National Forest Today, many bush residents depend on a subsistence lifestyle, just as Alaska Natives have for centuries. One of the world's largest intact temperate rainforests, it is home to 800-year-old cedar, hemlock and Sitka spruce trees that help provide habitats for over 400 species of land and marine wildlife. Spread the word. The forest and water views throughout the two miles will leave you breathless (along with that elevation gain!) Most people know little about either [topic].. In winter, the daylight dwindles to just over seven hours. Ninety-six percent of Alaskans surveyed by the USDA say salmon are essential to the Alaskan way of life. Coastal temperate rain forests are found in wet, cool climates where the collision of marine air and coastal mountains causes large amounts of rainfall. Beverly Law, an Oregon State University emeritus professor whose forestry research is referenced in the statement, has called the science used to justify logging misinformation. This is in part because these reports fail to account for harvest impacts on forest carbon. In addition, locals can petition to harvest trees for carving needs. Comprising the largest intact temperate rainforest in the world, the Tongass is a place filled with islands and salmon streams, where towering mountains sweep down into thick old-growth forest and granite cliffs drop into deep fjords. Since we have seen firsthand the destruction of the resources and habitat that our community depends on, we seek to protect what is left., Jackson made it clear that his community is prioritizing longevity over profits. Trees globally remove about 30% of the additional carbon dioxide that we add to the atmosphere, Law says. The decision follows a years-long conflict between Alaskan Republican officials - who have argued the rule has slowed economic development and that renewing it will hamper efforts to connect remote communities by road, among other concerns - and conservationists, indigenous groups and others who say the measure is key to protecting the environment. It encompasses nearly 90 percent of the southeastern panhandle of Alaska. The Tongass is home to some of the last old-growth trees in the U.S. A road winds through an area of clear-cut forest. Image Credit: Michael Ryan Clark. The U.S. Forest Service continues to focus on old-growth timber harvest within the remaining intact watersheds. A lot of the touristy shops sell items that come from China and other places, but local galleries that buy from local artists are important, he says. This Atlas explores the geography, wildlife habitat, and human uses of Southeast Alaska. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock "I don't want to have my grandchildren, their grandchildren, to have to fight for that too. Visitors have enjoyed the Tongass since long before President Theodore Roosevelt designated it a national forest in 1907. Tongass National Forest is 'America's Last Climate Sanctuary' She recalls an elder who had everything taken from him, who was forced to burn his belongings, and was given a jumpsuit with a number on it to identify him. The agency announced last Wednesday it would once again ban logging and the construction of roads for cutting timber in over half of the Tongass. Tongass National Forest. We rely on those trees for carving. Some 75,000 people live in the Tongass National Forestmost of them in cities such as Juneau (Alaska's state capital), Sitka, and several other communitiesbut the vast majority is a wilderness where eagles, bears, wolves, whales, sea lions, and other wildlife abound. What Is Causing the Perplexing Decline of the American Kestrel? Contributions are tax deductible. 'America's Climate Forest' Now Safe From Major Old-Growth Logging For tribal representatives, this rollback on . This magical place covers an impressive 16.7 million acres. A household may remove one Christmas tree per year. The Tongass offers great wildlife viewing opportunities. The forest was named for a Tlingit Indian group. So, put on those hiking boots, and lets hit a trail or two! The surprising benefits of breaking up. Its approximately 26,560 square miles (68,790 square km), composed of (volcanic) mountainous offshore archipelagos and rugged fjord-indented coastline, include some of the most extensive intact remnants of virgin temperate rainforest in North America. Now, these companies will be able to build roads through the rainforest and cut down thousand-year-old red and yellow cedar, Sitka spruce, and Western hemlock trees. Biden ends large-scale logging on huge Alaska rainforest Water defines the Tongass National Forest. In Alaska, salmon are also a keystone species, meaning that many other species in the ecosystem depend on them. Tongass: Birding the World's Largest Temperate Rainforest About 35% (6 million acres) of the Tongass is set aside as: 19 Congressionally-designated Wilderness areas, Another 43% of the Tongass is is land use allocations that do not allow development activities. Photo: Dick Dickinson/Audubon Photography Awards. Heres how to do it responsibly. Small Business Tree Planting Partnerships, Treasured Landscapes, Unforgettable Experiences, Financial Accountability and Transparency, U.S. National Forest Campground Directory.

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