PCA Launches “Healthy Forests Task Force”

Alarmed by the widespread forest regeneration failure throughout NY and the Hudson Valley, PCA has recruited a special task force to provide input into our programmatic work and funding in this space. 

Healthy forests support wildlife, sustain pollinators, filter water, and capture carbon from fossil fuels. Today our forests are in decline. Decades of deer overpopulation have destroyed forest biodiversity and the capacity of our forests to regenerate along with their ability to contribute to climate resilience. Invasive species, historic land use and climate change further compound these effects. PCA hopes to uplift the efforts of individuals and organizations that are working to improve forest health across our bioregion.

Our Forest Health Advisory Task Force is chaired by Eli Arnow, an environmentalist and forest steward. Other members of the task force are Jack McDonald, PCA co-founder, and Troy Weldy, executive director of the Columbia Land Conservancy, and Rick Velleu, former communications chief for the Environmental Defense Fund.