The Episcopalian Church
Declaration on Forest Conservation
Episcopal Ecological Network >
Passed unanimously:
Therefore, we call for the immediate cessation of logging of all ancient and old growth forests;
And Therefore, we call for the immediate cessation of commercial logging on all public lands;
And Therefore, we call for the redirection of all timber industry taxpayer subsidies into worker retraining in forest restoration jobs that lead to healthy rural economies and communities....
Endorsement on Ending of Commercial Logging
in the U.S. National Forests
The Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina
November 15, 1999
Contacts:
The Rev. Brian Cole, Sabbath Project (828) 669-8366
The Rev. David Rose (828) 765-4331
Bill Deveraux, WNC Diocesan Environmental Concerns Committee (828) 295-3603
On November 13th, 1999, the 78th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina endorsed a resolution to “encourage, support and advocate the end of all commercial logging on the U.S. National Forests.” The Convention also endorsed three other environmental resolutions requesting increased awareness and positive steps to ensure clean air and water and to make future Conventions more ecologically sound.
The resolution in support of ending commercial logging in the U.S. National Forests was submitted by The Revs. David Rose and R ichard DeMott, both Episcopal clergy in the Western North Carolina diocese. The resolution also asked that monies currently used to support the U.S. Forest Service’s timber commodity program be redirected “to benefit communities dependent on timber harvesting and to fund forest restoration.”
Resolution on Forest Ecosystems
Resolved, that the 78th Convention of the Diocese of Western North Carolina encourage all Christians to support and advocate the conservation of the remaining forest ecosystems as natural communities, created by and pleasing to God, rather than using forest ecosystems solely for their potential as economic capital.
Be it further resolved that we encourage, support, and advocate the end of all old-growth logging of God’s ecosystems in the United States to ensure protection of this ancient remnant of God’s creation.
Be it further resolved that we encourage, support and advocate the end of all commercial logging on the U.S. National Forests, as carried out under the U.S. Forest Service’s timber commodity program and the redirection or appropriation of monies to benefit communities dependent on timber harvesting and to fund forest restoration.
Rationale:
WE AFFIRM that Scripture declares, “The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it,” (Psalm 24:1) AND
WE AFFIRM that “the Lord God had made all kinds of trees to grow out of the ground -- trees that were pleasing to the eye and good food,” (Genesis 2:9) AND
WE AFFIRM that God created and intended that “all the trees of the forest will sing for joy” (Psalm 96:13) AND “all the trees of the field will clap their hands” (Isaiah 55:12).
FURTHERMORE, we affirm that forest ecosystems are an integral component of God’s good creation, wholly having intrinsic value because they were created by and for Jesus Christ, and have been reconciled through Him (Colossians 1:15-20, Ephesians 4:6).
WHEREAS old growth forest ecosystems are a declining remnant of the earth as God created it, AND
WHEREAS large and integrated forest ecosystems provide a critical habitat for many of God’s threatened and endangered species, AND
WHEREAS forest ecosystems play an ecologically crucial role in mitigating the increasing levels of human-induced greenhouse gas emissions, AND
WHEREAS the purpose of the National Forests to provide quality water supplies and recreation have been largely overlooked in recent years in favor of maximizing commercial timber harvest, AND
WHEREAS the livelihoods of people in certain communities have historically depended on government subsidized logging, AND
WHEREAS we as Christians affirm simple living, the virtue of frugality, and living as global stewards of God’s provision in creation; and affirm that our biblical responsibility to love our neighbors as ourselves extends not only to our neighbors living today, but to our neighbors throughout time, because Christ’s redemption extends throughout time (Matthew 22:39, Psalm 15:3, Proverbs 13:22, and Romans 8:21).
