The Human Habitat

OK so the term "tree hugger" has become a double-edged sword and derogatory in some circles. It's a dirty word to those particular die-hard loggers who cannot accept that population growth is out-pacing natur's renewal of our natural resources (especially in the case of old-growth redwoods).

When a person commits to a point of view, it's always difficult to change their mind. That may mean accepting that one has been wrong for a long long time. It's even harder to accept the bitter pill of economics when one's family income vanishes as a small-town mill closes due to depleted resources or loss of large-scale government subsidies. Sad but true.

In the "urban forestry" world, the moniker "tree hugger" is as complimentary as it gets. While traditional forestry jobs are diminishing every year, urban forestry jobs are rapidly increasing. And why not, more than 80 percent of U.S. citizens live in urbanized areas. The urban forests are the most visible and significant  portion of their ecological surroundings. The number one threat to animal life is loss of habitat. The human habitat needs your help now.

To learn more, log onto www.treelink.org

Comments

[Pepper Pro]

Seattle is plagued with power outages this winter as a result of storms toppling large trees. Private tree-trimming companies are complaining that city crews (the city contracts with Asplundh) aren't doing enough to keep trees trimmed properly. I once heard the majority of power outages are related to falling trees. I'm looking for a source for that statement, and I'm fishing for comments. Are there any city foresters or municipal foresters or tree trimmers or Asplundh representatives willing to hold a constructive discussion about the issue?