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Conservation Policy Initiative
TEMPERATE RAINFORESTS OF THE WORLD
Temperate
rainforests are rarer than their tropical counterparts as they are found in
only seven geographic regions of the world and represent less than 1% of the
earth’s landmass. Temperate rainforests occur in Southeast Alaska, British Columbia, the Pacific Northwest, Chile, New Zealand and Australia with some small remnants in western Europe.
The forests of these regions contain some of the oldest trees in the world (redwoods) and are vital for the survival of endangered wildlife such as spotted owls and salmon.
Last July, the National Center partnered with another organization, the
World Temperate Rainforest Network in announcing a global campaign to protect
these endangered forests.
This unique
partnership brings together our extensive scientific expertise with the international campaign organizing skills of our partner as we
begin to build awareness for these forests nationally and globally.
We recently co-launched the
production of the first international atlas (book) on the temperate rainforests
of the world that will bring together scientists, First Nations, and activists
from around the world to tell their unique story about their particular
rainforest.
The book should be published in 2008 at which time we will conduct a global tour of these regions timed to coincide with major forest policy initiatives under development with our partners in each nation.
The World Temperate Rainforest Network
already has started a global tour to announce the book as a call to
action. In the meantime, the National Center has started
organizing the different sections of the book.
The first chapter of the book – “Redwoods to Alaska” will be completed soon and will serve as a template for each of the remaining geographic regions.
The National Center's role in this effort is funded by the generous support of the Osprey and Weeden Foundations.
Photo by Dominick DellaSala.
