Wildfires are destroying California’s forests, creating smoke that coats our cities and state and greatly lowers the quality of the air we breathe. These critical environmental health issues make it clear that active forest management is necessary to keep our forests and lives healthier.
Healthy forests are critical for a healthy California.
Each year, California’s 33 million acres of forests are exposed to challenges like:
– Lack of Fire Use
– Wildfire Risk
– Drought
– Invasive Pests
Every Californian benefits from a healthy and thriving forest, and here are a few reasons why:
- CLEAN AIR AND WATER: Forests provide oxygen and increase the quantity and quality of water from our watersheds.
- CARBON STORAGE: Forests serve as the state’s largest land-based carbon sink, which means the trees, shrubs, and soil soak up carbon, keeping it from rising and trapping heat in the atmosphere.
- CLIMATE CHANGE: Active forest management will help create healthier, more resilient forests that are better suited for a changing climate.
- WILDLIFE HABITAT: Animals use different parts of the forest for food, shelter, and protection and thrive in a healthy forest.
- RECREATION: Forests are great for hiking, camping, hunting, fishing, and photography.
- ECONOMIC BENEFITS: Well-managed forests can provide jobs to rural and urban communities.
- REDUCES WILDFIRE RISK: Actively managing forests helps slow wildfires and reduce severity.
Source: www.readyforwildfire.org