In this episode, I speak with Ryan Talbott the Pacific Northwest Conservation Advocate for WildEarth Guardians, about their work monitoring the Forest Service and BLM timber sale programs in the Pacific Northwest and beyond. Ryan discusses the origins and achievements of the Legacy Roads and Trails program, the impact of recent legislative and administrative changes on forest management, and the pressure faced by the Forest Service to meet timber targets. We also discuss internal Forest Service discussions revealed through FOIA documents, highlighting the ongoing conflicts between conservation efforts and industry demands. Ryan emphasizes the importance of public forest land and the need for continued advocacy to protect these vital ecosystems from increased logging pressures.

https://wildearthguardians.org/

00:25 Forest Service and Timber Sale Programs

01:00 Legacy Roads and Trails Program

04:12 Timber Targets and Forest Management

07:31 Northwest Forest Plan 

10:34 Industry Influence and FOIA Findings

18:31 Challenges and Future Outlook

33:09 Personal Reflections on Public Lands