Many Californians may be surprised to learn that nothing in the California Forest Practices Act prevents the cutting of old-growth redwood and Douglas-fir trees and that some foresters are still submitting plans to cut old-growth trees. The following letter from the California Department of Fish and Game to the California Department of Forestry protests the proposed cutting of a 10-acre old-growth stand in San Mateo County in the Santa Cruz Mountains. It provides a comprehensive science-based review of the biodiversity values and ecosystem services provided by old-growth trees. It is presented here in its entirety in the hope that it will educate and inspire.

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