In This Month’s ECONEWS
How Green is Green Diamond?
The NEC is introducing a new program: free Eco-Movie
Nights! We will show an environmental or nature-oriented
film each week or so. Our premier series will be presented
in partnership with HSU’s Natural Resource Interpreters
Club.
Join us at our World Headquarters at 1465 G Street,
at 7 p.m. every Thursday evening, starting March 19
through the end of April, to view episodes from the TV
series Planet Earth and Blue Planet. Each episode will
be introduced by a club member and will be followed
by a brief discussion period.
Big Pete’s Pizza and local microbrews (with ID) will
be available for purchase with proceeds benefitting
the NEC programs. Please, no outside food. Personal
non-alcoholic beverages are okay. Space is limited, so
be sure to show up on time. For more information,
contact the NEC at 822-6918.
Free Movie Nights
Twenty years ago, when the so-called “timber wars”
raged on the North Coast, pitting those who worked
in the woods against those who wished to preserve the
forests, the big timber companies emerged as the “bad
guy” in the eyes of many.
Since then, many of these companies have worked hard
both to upgrade their image and to improve their forestry
practices. Some companies changed their name to reflect
their new image; Pacific Lumber became Palco and was
subsequently purchased by Humboldt Redwood Company,
and Simpson morphed into Green Diamond.
In May 2004, the Seattle-based Simpson Resource
Company created Green Diamond as an offshoot and
transferred ownership of around 450,000 acres of Cali-
fornia redwood timberlands.
Although the Simpson name was reviled in some circles
due to public opposition to large clear-cuts and old-growth
logging, especially around the area that is now Redwood
State and National Parks, the company has received little
scrutiny under its new alias.
However, in recent months, local residents and activists
have challenged various Green Diamond timber harvest
plans. The McKay Tract