Listen to the Trees: Today They Need Our Help More than Ever

STEWARDS OF OUR EARTH

All of God’s Creation

Social Justice Committee, Holy Cross Parish, Mt. Airy, June 21, 2026

The national Roadless Rule, a regulation adopted in 2001 that now protects 45 million acres of America's national forests from industrial logging and other sources of harm, is in danger. Just two weeks ago, the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources voted on an amendment that would repeal that rule.

What’s at risk?

”Nearly one third of all national forest lands: The Roadless Rule protects areas across 36 states and Puerto Rico.

Wildlife habitats and threatened species: Eliminating the Roadless Rule will fragment wildlife habitats and do even more harm to already-imperiled species.

Increased likelihood of wildfires: Humans are the leading cause of wildfires, and roads bring in more people. Studies have shown 90% of wildland fires occurring within half a mile of a road.

America’s largest national forest: Eliminating the Roadless Rule would leave 9 million undeveloped acres of Tongass National Forest in Alaska open to industrial logging and roadbuilding.” (Earthjustice, 6/15/26)

National forests also provide clean drinking water. “Along with grasslands, they are the largest provider of drinking water to Americans. Around 180 million people rely on water that flows from national forest land. And, because rivers and creeks in national forests run far from pollution and industrial runoff, these wild areas provide some of the cleanest drinking water in the country.” (Environment America, 5/23/26)

The “move to repeal the Roadless Rule would also violate Tribal sovereignty and the federal government’s responsibilities to co-manage resources with Tribal Nations and mitigate the impact of the release of greenhouse gases, which cause climate change.” (Native Organizers Alliance Action Fund, 10/6/25)

Now is the time to secure permanent protection for the 45 million acres of threatened forest. Tell your U.S. House representative to permanently protect wild forests and the wildlife that calls them home.

“Humans are the only stewards planet Earth has. Nature cannot save itself. It needs us.” ~ Marilyn Maxwell, World Wildlife Fund Leadership Partner

“Everyone is called upon to be a shepherd to this earth and to all the people in it…. If I look at this earth with a shepherd’s eye, it will look differently, and I will act differently… Like the good shepherd I’m expected to be.” (The Little Burgundy Book on Stewardship, 2023)

Comments on this column may be directed to the Social Justice Committee at socialjustice@holycrossphl.org.  To access current and past columns and to act on any of the topics via clickable links, go to holycrossphl.org and click on Social Justice Committee – Stewards of Our Earth.