Goal: Extend protections for old growth forests that benefit spotted owls.
Beautiful birds that once flourished in Canada’s wild have been reduced to three. The spotted owl, which inhabits Canada and parts of the United States, is in such dire straits that the species has become the focus of a Canadian captive breeding program. Even with this step, only one known breeding pair currently resides in any forest of Canada.
Populations have been decimated by an onslaught of logging. Much of this activity has wiped away the precious old growth forests the owls called home for centuries. Native tribes revere these animals, calling them “messengers” that represent the overall wellness of nature. If the plight of the spotted owl is any indication, Mother Nature herself is in grave danger. A halt has been placed on logging of old-grown habitats these birds depend upon for survival. The owls’ population cannot possibly recover in such a short time, however, so this ban should remain in place indefinitely.