Dear voornaam, America's largest national forest, Tongass' 17 million acres are home to 800-year-old trees and an astonishing breadth of wildlife: brown bears, bald eagles, humpback whales and sea lions. Murkowski and her Big Timber-backed allies have tried for years to get their paws -- and saws -- on the Tongass. And they just got a giant step closer. Trump officials just signed an agreement -- endorsed by Murkowski and the Alaska delegation -- that could open its pristine old-growth forests to splitters and stump grinders. We must all stand together NOW to stop it. The Sierra Club has a plan: mobilize public comments in opposition to the agreement, push for citizens' hearings, haul the Trump administration back into court, and stop Sen. Murkowski and Rep. Young's plans in Congress -- where they're trying to slide through secretive riders that strip its protections. But with just 36 days until the comment period is up on October 15, the clock is ticking. Please, help us save the Tongass with your emergency monthly gift. Click here to rush your emergency monthly gift now. Help us save some of the world's largest remaining temperate rainforest from Big Timber before the Tongass is gone forever. We'll also send you our insulated cooler tote -- free. The Trump administration's sinister, short-sighted end-run around the Roadless Rule, considered the most significant conservation measure in 100 years, would be a devastating setback -- not just for the Tongass' fjords, mountains and glaciers but for the fight against climate change. The Tongass stores more than 10% of the carbon stored by all national forests combined. And what's more, saving the Tongass isn't solely an environmental issue. Thanks to salmon runs, fisheries, tourism and recreation, the forest supports $2 billion in revenue and attracts more than one million visitors each year. We can't let Trump, Murkowski and other politicians beholden to Big Timber cut old-growth timber forests -- and kill local economies. Earlier this year, Murkowski tried to shove clearcutting portions of the Tongass into the Omnibus bill. Then Rep. Young slid a rider into the Farm Bill that would exempt the state of Alaska from the Roadless Rule. We stopped them but we know they're going to try it again and again. We're ramping up our legal and legislative teams and organizing allies in other states where similar deals would imperil forests and wildlife. But we only have 36 days to do it. Please, rush your emergency monthly gift now and we'll send you our insulated cooler tote with our thanks. Please, rush your emergency monthly gift now. Help us save the Tongass before it's too late. Thank you for standing with the Sierra Club to defend the Tongass again today. We're so grateful for your support and your commitment to this cultural, ecological, and economic giant. Together, we will protect our country's last wild places from clearcutting and crisscrossing -- for generations to steward and enjoy. With determination, Alex Craven Organizer, Our Wild America Sierra Club PS. If you've recently donated -- THANK YOU, we're still processing gifts. Photos | Tongass National Forest: Alan Wu. Black Bear: Erwin Weston, USFS. Bald Eagle: Erwin Weston, USFS. Red Salmon: USFS. |