“The importance of
acting to protect local forests, and the ecosystem services they provide, is at
a crucial window in the next ten years, before they are lost to development,
pests and pathogens and the effects of climate change,” said Winnakee’s
Executive Director Bob Davis.
“Within the lifetime
of a child born today, many of the environmental and economic benefits of our
forests will be denied to their generation, and those to come,” added
Davis.
“Additionally, 70% of
NY’s forests are not viable to regenerate without timely and comprehensive
stewardship action, a key component of Winnakee’s conservation strategy to
restore protected forests. The Hudson Valley, in particular, has the
lowest forest regeneration rates in NYS. Coupled with one of the nation’s
highest population growths in recent years, this could mean outright disaster
for local forests and the public benefits they offer our region as one of the
most desired places to live in the U.S.”
Winnakee’s Forever
Forest campaign lays out a strategy to protect and restore 10,000 acres of
forest to their fullest ecological potential. Winnakee is making this
announcement on International Day of Forests, a day proclaimed by the
United Nations General Assembly in 2012, to celebrate and raise awareness of
the importance of all types of forests.
Winnakee invites
members of the public to a free, special presentation of FOREVER FORESTS on
Sunday, April 24th from
4:00-5:30pm at CO, 6571 Spring Brook Avenue, Rhinebeck, as part of
Earth Week (rsvp here). The event will detail Winnakee-led strategies for
measurable impact at the local level to this global issue.
As Davis notes:
“Restoring forests can as much as double their ability to mitigate the effects
of climate change, and this nature-based solution makes economic sense,
too. In short, protecting our local forests is one of the most
indispensable investments we can make for our region’s future.”
“Winnakee is proud to
have expanded our conservation mission in recent years. The Forever
Forests campaign is one way to help maintain and improve the quality of life we
enjoy in our region and support our local economy while contributing globally to
one of the most effective, nature-based solutions to climate change,” added
David Ping, Winnakee Board Chair.
For more info contact: Uri Perrin, Director of Outreach, Tel
(845) 372-3839 or uri@winnakee.org
The mission of
Winnakee Land Trust is to conserve and steward our forests, agricultural lands
and water resources, by fostering resilient eco-systems; ensuring our
communities access to and enjoyment of the natural beauty and bounty of our
region, now and for generations to come.