Religious Campaign for Forest Conservation PRESS ANNOUNCEMENT Released on Monday, May 11, 1998 Religious Groups form New Organization to Address Forest Issues SANTA ROSA, CALIFORNIA A new religious coalition set up offices in Santa Rosa this week to mobilize a wide range of faith groups in nationwide support of forest conservation efforts. The new coalition, composed of Evangelical Christians, Catholics, Jews, Mainstream Protestants and Eastern Orthodox Christians, will develop and promote a Judeo-Christian concern for forests and their conservation. Through this process the moral side of forest stewardship will emerge in a manner that has not yet been well defined. “The first task of the coalition is to help religious groups articulate the ethical and moral dimension to forest care,” says organizer Fred Krueger. “While an overwhelming theological basis exists in Judaism and Christianity for careful stewardship of the earth, the specific implications of this theology are not well defined for specific areas of ecological concern, such as forest care.” “This is of critical importance,” says Krueger, “because no major movement in the history of our country has been successful without the force of religion.” “The abolitionist movement, the women’s suffrage movement, the civil rights movement, and others only caught fire when they joined with the spiritual force of organized religion. Until now, the forest conservation movement has not been closely linked to religion. While there are clear ethical and moral dimensions to proper forest management, the churches have barely begun to engage these issues. Our campaign will help shift the discussion on forest issues from mere economics to ethics, and put what has often been a contentious issue into a wider moral context.” Mr. Krueger urges all religious groups and individuals concerned with the conservation of forests or the articulation or a forest ethic to participate. The Campaign’s office may be contacted through the World Stewardship Institute in Santa Rosa, California. An information packet is available. As religious groups enter the forest conservation discussion, they bring new energy, enthusiasm and fresh faces to ecological concern. Their perspective and motivation however are decidedly distinct from groups such as the Sierra Club or other environmental organizations. Ann Alexander, a New York City attorney and chair of the Christian Environmental Council, a national organization for Evangelical organizations concerned about a proper relationship to Creation, describes her motivation for involvement in the forest campaign: “As Christians, we do not see forests merely as a resource to be used and managed. Our Scriptures clearly teach that forests are a place where God dwells, and cares lovingly for His creatures who inhabit it. The Prophets equate lush forests with God’s blessing and healing of the land, and the law of Moses teaches that trees should be protected, even in Arial, 55 Helvetical Roman, Helvetica of war. “Certainly, we understand that one htmlect of a forest’s value is the potential resources it provides. We stand side by side with all who are fighting for responsible management of forest resources in appropriate measure. But our faith will always lead us to view forests as holy places, and not just as potential board feet of timber.” Ann Alexander, National Chair The Christian Environmental Council Sr. Mary Lou Dolan, csj, chair of the Department of Earth Literacy at St. Mary-of-the-Woods College in Indiana, sees concern for forests as deeply rooted in Catholic tradition despite some notable examples to the contrary: “If we are not concerned about forests, we’re not concerned about our own human welfare. These issues are all connected. If we don’t respect and value the forests, it only shows a disregard for ourselves and our neighbors. “But the issues are even deeper,” she relates. “We preserve religious values by preserving wilderness values. They are part of a whole fabric of life for which we are spiritual l. accountable.” Pope John Paul II, she notes, speaks often about the importance of preserving forests. “Last month, a Catholic-Jewish Liaison Committee at the Vatican issued a historic joint document entitled, ‘Care for the Environment: A Religious Act.’ This new Declaration encourages Catholics and Jews around the world to become vigorously involved ‘in efforts to preserve the environment and to live in a manner which respects the integrity of the delicate balance that exists among the earth’s ecosystems.’ “The joint declaration declares that respect for the environment must become ‘a way of life.’” Sr. Mary Lou Dolan, csj Chair, Dept. of Earth Literacy Dr. Owen Owens, coordinator of the Coalition’s program to develop a declaration on forests, and director of National Ministries for the American Baptist Church, in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, describes three reasons why all Christians should be concerned about forests. “First, the old-growth forests testify to the beauty and order of the Creator who made them. “Second, healthy forests are essential to the life of all creatures on Earth. They allow rainwater to soak into the ground; they send up water vapor through transpiration which forms clouds; they provide food and shelter for birds and animals. “Third, in the heavenly city of the Lord, trees not only provide food, but their leaves heal the nations. Since God has made trees expressions of life, we Christians are concerned to preserve and restore the forests.” Dr. Owen Owens, Director Rabbi Stephen Pearce, Senior Rabbi of San Francisco’s Congregation Emanu-El and founder of the Interfaith Task Force to Save the Headwaters Forest, reflects on the Jewish tradition and its relevance for forest protection. “Jewish Biblical tradition demands stewardship of the Earth. The story of Adam and Eve is one which the rabbis chose to comment on. They depicted God admonishing Adam and Eve with these words: ‘See how magnificent and beautiful my world is. Do not corrupt or destroy it, for if you do, there will be no one to set it right after you.’ “The implication for forests today is that we cannot replace what is irreplaceable. We need to treat old-growth forests with the same sanctity that we afford landmark buildings.” Rabbi Stephen S. Pearce, Rabbi Lester Scharnberg from Temple Havurah Shir Hadash in Eureka, California and professor of ethics at Redwood College, says that a reading of the Psalms alone gives clear support for environmental concerns generally and forest issues in particular. In Psalm 98 we are told that all the earth can sing praise to God: ‘Let the sea roar, and the fullness thereof; the world and they who dwell therein. Let the rivers clap their hands: let the mountains sing for joy together.” Moreover the Psalmist tells us that God “will regard the prayer of the juniper” (Psalm 102:18). Let us, like Spinoza, take such passages as literal possibilities. Let us listen to the voices of nature. Let us commit to the hearing of a tree at prayer. Let us do more: let us act upon such prayers and heed the calling of such voices. If we do, we will do far more to conserve our forests than we have so far done. Rabbi Lester Scharnberg Connie Hanson, president of Christians Caring for Creation, a new organization in Los Angeles, says, “As Christians we are called by God to protect and preserve His forests — and all the creatures. We have this mandate in Scripture.” “I take the passages in the Bible which teach us about care of God’s creation very seriously,” relates Hanson, a high school history teacher and member of the Presbyterian Church. “This is why the members of Christians Caring for Creation are praying and working to end the logging and destruction of our precious national forests.” Connie Hanson, President Dr. Vincent Rossi, a theologian from the Eastern Orthodox Church and resident of Forestville in Sonoma County, California, specializes in early church history and its lessons for the environmental movement. “Dostoevsky says ‘beauty will save the world.’ Dostoevsky speaks here, not as an aesthete, but as an Orthodox Christian. The heart of the Eastern Orthodox response to caring for creation is the recognition that the natural world is the creation of God who willed it into being through love and as beauty. “It is by the beauty inherent in Creation, especially in forests, that we recognize the hand of God upon it. The truly human response to beauty is to savor it, to protect it, to preserve it. It is a duty of every Orthodox Christian, then, to protect, savor and save the forests of the world. For Orthodox Christians, to paraphrase Dostoevsky, beauty, if we will only let it touch our hearts, will save the forests.” Dr. Vincent Rossi Rev. Peter Illyn, a Pentecostal Church pastor from Vancouver, Washington and head of the new group, Christian Environmental Stewards, says that we dishonor the Creator when we defile His creation: “Nothing on earth has been alive as long as the ancient forest. The forest teaches us about the Creator, and so when we cut these forests, we are eliminating some of the oldest teachers that God has placed on earth. They give testimony to the power of God. “Many Christians become so worried about avoiding worship of the Earth that we forget how to love what God has created. When we act to preserve forests, we are demonstrating our love for what God loves.” Rev. Peter Illyn The Rev. Sally G. Bingham, chair of the Commission for the Environment of the Episcopal Diocese of California in San Francisco, says that Episcopalians have always maintained that stewardship of creation is a religious responsibility: “Any insult to the natural system which God has set up is ultimately an insult to God. “Because the ancient forests provide so many natural services to us all — they clean the air, serve as homes for animal species, and even enhance and inspire the human spirit in a manner that no other part of the environment duplicates — these last remaining old forests must be preserved.” Rev. Sally Bingham, Chair Susan Bower, from the Assembly of God Church in Hayfork, California, and representative to the coalition from the North American Conference on Christianity and Ecology, headquartered in St. Paul, Minnesota, relates that one of the ways Christians show their love for God is by caring for what He made. “When we take care of forests, which human beings and others forms of life are vitally dependent upon, we show love to God.” Susan Bower Tom Ish, Auburn, California publisher of Creation Illustrated, a fast-growing new magazine encouraging appreciation of the wonders of Creation, says, “Good stewardship of the Creator’s handiwork is vital if we expect God to trust us to care for the new heaven and earth, as cited in Scripture. This stewardship involves everything, including our forests.” Tom Ish, publisher Creation This Religious Campaign for Forest Conservation would not have been possible just three or four years ago. It is made possible because churches have become increasingly concerned with ecological issues during the 1990's. The emerging coalition brings together religious groups with new-found interest in issues of earth stewardship with scientists and environmental groups who have long been concerned with forestry issues. As religious groups lend their ability to address the ethical and moral issues surrounding the care and restoration of forest lands, it is anticipated that church and synagogue leadership will come into a deeper understanding of forest issues. This will influence church members and ultimately move legislators into taking stronger stands on behalf of the preservation of public forests from private exploitation. All this is welcome news to environmentalists. Many say this opens a new dimension to grass-roots efforts to preserve public forests. It promises to bring new supporters to the cause and gives new reason and strength for the careful treatment of these remaining natural treasures. Ted Nordhaus, Executive Director of the Headwaters Sanctuary Project in Oakland, California sees the emergence of religious organizations on forestry issues as a significant new element in shaping the future of our public lands. “The increasing engagement of the faith community in efforts to protect places like Headwaters Forest brings a new dimension to our efforts. Last year, I had the privilege of flying over Headwaters Forest with several prominent members of the Northern California religious community. I came away with a new appreciation for the deep connection between spiritual matters and matters ecological. “Environmentalism is in fact a notion deeply rooted in most religious traditions. Similarly, spirituality and faith are notions which underlie an ethic of the environment. Environmentalism, in its most elemental sense, reflects an abiding faith in the sanctity of God’s creation.” Ted Nordhaus Suellen Lowry, attorney and specialist on forest issues for the Earth Justice Legal Defense Fund, from Fresno, California, says, “This is exciting. As an environmentalist, I have seen how much policy makers listen to the religious community. This can really increase our chances of preserving forests.” “Historically in the conservation movement, members of the religious community have been involved in efforts to protect forests. If we are to have adequate conservation of forest areas, it is important for policy makers and the public to understand that there is a strong faith-based rationale for forest conservation.” Suellen Lowery The Religious Campaign for Forest Conservation is not unexpected. Over the past dozen years, religious organizations have gradually been defining the religious values associated with what is alternatively called, “eco-justice,” “earth stewardship,” or “care of creation.” Hundreds of programs have been launched and church members are changing their attitudes. While coalitions have been formed to address endangered species, climate change and other topics, the spiritual value of forests, especially ancient forests, has not yet been well addressed. While many people feel a different “presence” in an old-growth forest when compared to a new forest, few people, including clergy, are able to identify what spiritual values are hidden in this “presence” generated around these ancient giants. By integrating a spiritual understanding of old growth forests with preservation efforts, a sizeable and powerful new constituency will be enlisted for forest preservation efforts. Even members of the business community sees advantages to this campaign. Warren Linney, CEO of BroadLink, a national wireless internet provider, in Santa Rosa, California, sees advantages to business from the articulation of the ethics of forests. “As a businessman it makes economic sense to preserve forests. Presently in the sale of timber on public lands our government actually loses $300 million a year of tax-payers’ money. “Not only will this religious campaign encourage an end to this unneeded subsidy of logging companies, it will give us the ethical framework to make sound business plans. Without ethics we are left with the economics of the marketplace. I, like many businesspeople, also have a family and children, and so I have to be concerned about the quality of the land and its forests which I leave to my children and future generations.” Warren Linney, CEO The Need for this Campaign Fred Krueger, coordinator of the Religious Campaign for Forest Conservation, reiterates the reasons why this campaign is necessary. California has less than 2% of its original redwood forests remaining, but clear-cutting and over-cutting are still permitted. Yet the churches have scarcely spoken on this issue which at heart is a moral issue. Clergy of all denominations and religions have difficulty articulating the spiritual values of forests. Historically, an understanding of the spiritual importance of forests exists in both Judaism and Christianity. This spiritual value has been left in the past and it now needs to be recovered as a forest-saving ethic of the environment. Most Christians and Jews are only vaguely aware that their faiths possess clear theologies which support care for creation and, therefore, careful stewardship of our public forests. This needs to be taught, and our elected representatives in Congress and statehouses around the country need to be educated about this dimension of the Judeo-Christian ethical legacy. Forests and wild areas are important to the health of society. Of over 300,000 tree and plant species, less than 5,000 have been examined for medicinal value. Cures for many diseases remain to be discovered, but the wild areas where these species live and particularly the trees on which they depend must be preserved in order for these species to be examined for their possible benefits to humankind. Forests and intact watersheds are important for preserving salmon and steelhead. Much of the decline in these fisheries is due to the loss of suitable spawning grounds, caused largely by careless logging operations. Spiritual lessons hidden in the old forests can help people better understand the workings of their Creator. Both the Jewish and Christian Scriptures affirm this, yet it is scarcely taught in modern religion. This is another reason why these ancient treasures must be preserved. The Campaign lists a series of linked goals which will raise public understanding about the value of America’s native forests. These goals include articulation of the spiritual values of ancient forests, education of church-goers to the ethical side of forest issues, and the encouragement of public policy which preserves and restores forests on public lands. The Campaign’s first event takes places in early June in Redwood National Park in Northern California. Representatives from many churches and different religions will gather to begin the articulation of the spiritual values of ancient forests. Statements from this meeting will be given to a second gathering in July at which time theologians will craft a national statement. While the entire process is expected to take over a year, the first effects will be seen in added support for efforts to preserve and protect our public forests. For additional information, please contact Dr. Owen Owens, East Coast public relations relations relations