The State of New Jersey DEP Division of Fish and Wildlife, along with their private partners NJ Audubon (not a chapter of National Audubon), want to SELL OUT NJ's Public Lands. Many of our pristine forests throughout the state such as Sparta Mountain, Weldon Brook, Berkshire Valley, Stokes State Forest, Mahlon Dickerson and 9 others are earmarked for deforestation.
THIS MUST NOT CONTINUE!
The contiguous forested canopy of the Highlands region provides drinking water to 70% of NJ's residents (or over 6.2M people). These forests provide clean water, air and sequester more carbon as they mature. Yet our DEP wants to clear cut healthy forests to create a version of a "young forest" with no concern about destroying the existing natural resource value. Under the guise of "forest stewardship plans", state bureaucrats are trying to raise money by permitting clearcutting, herbicidal and fire use, and the degradation of our water supply. The DEP has not considered alternatives to commercial logging but has opted instead to extract the most healthy and valuable timber. Much of the timber is then exported to countries like Canada, China and the UK.
Funding is now needed for a strong message to our elected officials. We need your support to stop the monetization of our natural resources. These are OUR Public Lands! NJ taxpayers refuse to subsidize the destruction of our public forests!
*Please add NJ FOREST WATCH in the memo (comment) section of your donation. Our fiscal sponsor, The NJ Highlands Coalition (501c3 organization) will be collecting the funds on our behalf. Your donation is tax deductible.
Thank you for supporting our public lands and our future!
