~~ written 9 pm 4/30/97 by David Yarrow <dyarrow@igc.org> ~~ May Day, 1997 Global Green USA 4223 Glencoe Ave. Suite B-103 Marina del Rey, CA 90292 Dear Friends of Gaia, I salute the bold enterprise you have begun: to repair, heal and regenerate our abused and bruised planet. Our challenges in the next century and millennium are immense. May your work prosper. I write to tell you of a new and necessary initiative which should be a primary Global Green strategy. The Champion Tree Project provides the means and the genes to reforest Earth. Trees are anchors of strong, stable, healthy ecosystems. A primary challenge of Earth repair and ecosystem regeneration is to restore the balance between open land and forests. Not only to halt deforestation, but to initiate reforestation. Trees aren't just economic commodities as timber, pulpwood and veneer. Many produce unique foods and medicines. Their deep roots mine minerals from subsoil to produce leaves to decay into rich, fertile topsoil. They shield soil from hard rain, hot sun and high wind to provide cool, shady, moist habitat for herbs, shrubs, insects, birds, and other animals. Forests are a primary means to remove carbon dioxide, release oxygen, filter pollutants, and regulate moisture in air. Soil, trees and atmosphere are an integrated whole. Earth achieves its highest biodiversity and productivity when sheltered under a canopy of climax forest. Plants made it possible for humans to be here on Earth. If we don't improve the quality of life for trees on this planet, it soon won't be possible for us to live here either. A Champion Tree is the largest -- often oldest -- of its variety. In the USA, American Forests, a non-profit association, keeps a "National Register of Big Trees." In addition, most states keep their own State Champion lists. The 1996 National Register lists 842 National Champions in America, by state and by species. National Champions are scored by adding height in feet, to girth in inches 4.5 feet above ground, plus 25% of crown spread. Michigan nurseryman David Milarch is concerned these big old [177 lines left ... full text available at <url:http://www.reference.com/cgi-bin/pn/go?choice=message&table=05_1997&mid=100040&hilit=CULTURE+CULTURES+FUTURE> ] -------------------------------- Article-ID: 05_1997&80572 Score: 81 Subject: forests of champions: global green us