Defending the South's National Forests and Parks
The South's national forests and national parks harbor some of the most biologically rich and publicly treasured natural features in our region - and the world. The majority of these public lands lie along the Southern Appalachian mountains that run from Virginia to Alabama, and make up the largest concentration of public lands east of the Rockies.
©Bill Lea
This "bioregion" harbors a remarkable natural legacy: more tree species than in all of Europe; hundreds of native animals; and one of the highest levels of aquatic diversity in the world. Many of the South's great rivers that provide millions of southerners with drinking water, the James, Tennessee, Chattahoochee and others, begin as cold mountain streams deep in our national forests.
The Southern Appalachians also offer outstanding recreational opportunities. Every year, millions of outdoor enthusiasts come to hike, fish, camp, hunt, birdwatch, picnic, canoe, kayak, enjoy the views, and relish the quiet.
The U.S. Forest Service manages America's national forests, including the 4.7 million acres in nine Southern Appalachian national forests. But in recent years, the federal government has gutted or eliminated policies that provide basic protections for these forests. And though national parks managed by the National Park Service are generally off-limits to extractive industries, development activities on nearby private land as well as flawed government policies can impair the natural resources of these "crown jewels."
For 20 years, SELC has been at the forefront of protecting the Southern Appalachians, strengthening environmental rules and stopping the worst logging projects on national forests. We focus on safeguarding pristine streams and watersheds, unbroken forest habitat favored by black bear, songbirds and other species, old-growth forests, backcountry areas, and prime recreation spots like the Appalachian Trail.
Today, we are taking on several actions to protect the resources in our national parks. And we are working harder than ever to challenge federal rollbacks and ensure that a regulatory framework is in place to better manage the national forests for years to come. We also continue to take every opportunity to secure protection for the most threatened and the most special places on the national forests. Finally, we support opportunities to add critical tracts to the public land base thorugh the Land and Water Conservation Fund.
