‘The Evergreen’: Oregon’s old forests keep getting cut down, despite Biden’s promise to protect them

By Mia Estrada (OPB), Jenn Chávez (OPB), April Ehrlich (OPB) and McKenzie Funk (ProPublica)
Nov. 18, 2024 2 p.m.
Reeder, left, and Madeline Cowen, an organizer with the environmental group Cascadia Wildlands, measure an old-growth tree in the Yellow Creek area.

Reeder, left, and Madeline Cowen, an organizer with the environmental group Cascadia Wildlands, measure an old-growth tree in the Yellow Creek area.

Leah Nash, special to ProPublica

00:00
 / 
31:25
THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR:

On Earth Day in 2022, President Joe Biden signed an executive order to protect mature and old growth forests on federal lands.

But more than two years later, these forests were still being cut under the Biden administration’s watch. Nearly the same amount as they were under Trump, who will take office again next year and could undo some of his predecessor’s climate policies.

Today, we’re talking about how logging has continued in western Oregon — the heart of the nation’s remaining old-growth forests. OPB’s April Ehrlich and ProPublica’s McKenzie Funk investigated and followed the course of one controversial timber sale in Southern Oregon.

Listen to all episodes of The Evergreen podcast here.

THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR:
THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR:

Become a Sustainer now at opb.org and help ensure OPB’s fact-based reporting, in-depth news and engaging programs thrive in 2025 and beyond.
We’ve gone to incredible places together this year. Support OPB’s essential coverage and exploration in 2025 and beyond. Join as a monthly Sustainer now or with a special year-end contribution. 
THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR: