Black Ram Today

- By Rick Bass

Dear all,

I’m writing to give y’all an update on the efforts to stop the hideous Black Ram proposed timber sale on the Canadian border in Northwest Montana’s Yaak Valley, where only three adult female grizzlies with cubs remain. This ancient forest, a survivor from the last period of global warming, 800 to 1000 years ago, is a scientific trove of mysteries waiting to become knowledge. Of course the Trump administration sought (seeks still) to erase it. Please join, if you can, a webinar today, February 3, where artists from around the country combine to champion and celebrate the science of this amazing forest in Montana’s Yaak Valley. Your forest: public land.

To those of you familiar with the ethos of Representative Chellie Pingree, Chairwoman of the House Appropriations Committee (aka The Most Powerful Congressperson in America), it will come as no surprise to you that she is taking a keen interest in the fate of Black Ram. She is standing up for us on our public lands--owned by everyone equally no matter what state we live in, or any other demographic of wealth, creed, race, gender—absorb 12% of our nation’s enormous CO2 emissions.

Black Ram must be stopped, and Representative Pingree and Senators King and Collins, having committed already to engage in attempts to slow the rate of global warming, are and can continue to be leaders at the forefront of this necessary protection. Your letters to Chairwoman Pingree have been heard; it is so important, given recent conversations in Congress, that you reach out to her and Senator King and Collins again and urge them on with even greater verve. I’m so grateful to the Stonecoast community for stepping up to address this necessary climate justice action, and hope each of you can someday see this old forest. It has been here 1000 years; it is my hope it is here for another thousand. Thank you.

Please write today to Maine's champion of old forest and climate justice.

For a wild Yaak—and with gratitude,
Rick Bass

Feb. 3 Invitation:
And "From the Old Forest in Montana," Orion Magazine, 2022