Green Climate: Protecting Our Forests & Wilderness
Green Climate is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization committed to the protection and defense of our forests and wilderness.
"The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness."
— John Muir
The Roadless Rule Is Being Repealed
Repeal of the 2001 Roadless Rule would immediately eliminate the federal regulatory status of approximately 58.5 million acres of Inventoried Roadless Areas — shifting management from a uniform national prohibition to a forest-by-forest, acre-by-acre discretionary regime.
354
Municipal watersheds protected
60M
Americans relying on roadless clean water
3,400
Communities served
43,000 mi
Of trails for recreation
$730B
Outdoor recreation industry revenue
1,600+
Threatened or endangered species with habitat
Why one size does not fit all
Over 95% of the nation's Inventoried Roadless Areas are in the Western Region, where they span vast, contiguous landscapes. In the Eastern Region, IRA acreage is far smaller — 1.5 to 2.5 million acres versus 44.7 million acres in the West.
Very few new roads are economically justified in the Eastern Region given construction costs of approximately $1 million per mile — and the National Forest Service already has very little money budgeted for maintenance of its extensive existing road network.
The Administration is proposing to open millions of acres to new road construction while the roads already built go unmaintained.
45M acres
Western Region IRAs
1.5–2.5M acres
Eastern Region IRAs
Virginia: the highest eastern stakes
Virginia stands to lose more roadless protection than any other eastern state. Repeal would affect 84% of the roughly 394,000 acres currently protected on the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests combined — opening them to road construction, mining, and commercial logging for the first time in 25 years.
Virginia's roadless areas safeguard the headwaters of the James, Potomac, and Shenandoah rivers — the clean water supply for communities stretching to the Chesapeake Bay. Road construction in these watersheds trades long-term water security for short-term extraction.
84%
Of VA protected acres at risk
4×
More wildfires in roaded vs. roadless areas
Case study — Jefferson National Forest
Forest plan protection does not equal Roadless Rule protection
The Jefferson National Forest's 2004 Forest Plan identifies 37 inventoried roadless areas totalling approximately 152,600 acres. While 97% of that acreage was expected to retain roadless character, the FEIS concluded that only 77% is assigned to prescriptions consistent with the Roadless Rule. The remaining 23% is assigned to prescriptions permitting temporary road construction and timber harvesting — activities currently foreclosed by the national rule. Rescission creates an immediate expansion of permissible management on that acreage without requiring any forest-plan amendment.
219K
GWNF acres affected
21%
Of GWNF total area
23%
Jefferson IRA acreage at immediate risk
What Conservation Leaders Are Saying
“These landscapes quietly perform some of the most important environmental services Virginians rely on every day — most importantly, they provide clean drinking water. The clear mountain streams that rise in our roadless areas flow into the James, Potomac, and Shenandoah rivers that help sustain communities and our natural heritage all the way to the Chesapeake Bay.
If we cut roads into these areas and allow for mining, commercial logging and other development, we trade long-term clean water security for short-term extraction. Not a good deal for Virginians.
Generations of hunters, hikers, anglers, birders and other outdoor enthusiasts have treasured roadless areas for their beauty, healthy forests, and ample wildlife. These places are on public land and belong to all of us; we cannot allow them to be offered up to the highest bidder who would squander our children’s future enjoyment of some of nature’s finest wild places.”
Members of Congress Oppose Rescission
“Since its adoption in 2001, the Roadless Rule has served as a cornerstone of public lands conservation, now protecting approximately 44 million acres of National Forest System lands across 37 states. By avoiding the construction and maintenance of new roads, the rule saves taxpayers billions of dollars.”
“The Roadless Rule is effective, widely supported, and essential to responsible forest management.”
“Using a scalpel when a cannon is not needed” — capturing the fundamental difference between targeted forest management and the wholesale rescission of the Roadless Rule.
“Roadless areas are irreplaceable.”
“I support the Roadless Rule, and the long-term view it takes on the preservation of national forests for future generations.”
Critical & Magical: The Importance of Forests and Wilderness
Critical & Magical
To effectively tackle the climate change crisis, it is essential for charitable organizations to advocate for the protection, improvement, and expansion of the earth’s natural resources. Old growth forests, wetlands, and oceans play a crucial role in capturing and storing CO² and other greenhouse gases. This ongoing process of carbon capture and sequestration is vital for environmental protection and sustainability, unlike other strategies that may have limitations.
Furthermore, promoting forest conservation and responsible timber harvesting can enhance these efforts. It is vital that we enjoy our natural resources and value the magic they hold. As a charitable organization focused on environmental protection and sustainability, we recognize the priceless experience of our forests, wilderness, wetlands, rivers, oceans, parks, and natural monuments.
Green Climate, a dedicated charitable organization, actively participates in the conservation and protection of our natural resources. This commitment not only enhances our enjoyment of these gifts but also represents a viable solution to climate change. Through initiatives focused on environmental protection, forest conservation, and sustainable practices, we aim to reduce greenhouse gases while ensuring responsible timber harvesting.
Priceless Natural Heritage
Protecting these areas is crucial in the fight against climate change, as they play a significant role in reducing greenhouse gases and promoting forest conservation through responsible timber harvesting practices. Forests and wilderness provide world-class outdoor recreational opportunities on 43,000 miles of trails for hikers, mountain bikers, climbers, birders, horseback riders, backpackers, hunters, anglers, and backcountry skiers.
Roadless areas generate a significant portion of the outdoor recreation industry’s $730 billion in annual revenue and 6.5 million jobs. They provide habitat for more than 1,600 threatened or endangered plant and animal species, and encompass 354 municipal watersheds that provide clean water for 60 million Americans in 3,400 communities.
The fiscal case for protection is equally compelling. By avoiding the construction and maintenance of new roads, the Roadless Rule saves taxpayers billions of dollars. The Forest Service already faces a road-maintenance backlog of nearly $6 billion — expanding roads into remote and economically marginal areas would only deepen that burden. As 164 Members of Congress stated in September 2026, rescission would impose unnecessary environmental and fiscal costs on the American public.
Science & Perspectives
Forests and wilderness play a crucial role in addressing climate change and are essential for environmental protection. As a charitable organization focused on sustainability, we recognize that forest conservation is vital for reducing greenhouse gases and preserving our natural resources. Responsible timber harvesting practices can further enhance these efforts, ensuring that our forests continue to thrive for future generations.
The ongoing impacts of climate change have prompted various efforts by charitable organizations focused on environmental protection and forest conservation. These initiatives aim to reduce greenhouse gases and promote sustainability while safeguarding our natural resources. Additionally, responsible timber harvesting practices are essential for maintaining ecological balance.
Explore perspectives from organizations including the Virginia Wilderness Committee, The Wilderness Society, and The Nature Conservancy — all of which emphasize sustainability and forest conservation while addressing greenhouse gases and the responsible management of natural resources, including timber harvesting.
Green Climate v. Rollins
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Explore perspectives from various charitable organizations focused on environmental protection and climate change. Notable examples include the Virginia Wilderness Committee, The Wilderness Society and The Nature Conservancy.
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