:
John,
Far from our bustling streets and busy lives, quiet forests await.
It's not a fairytale -- these lands exist, for now. But if the federal government erases protections for wild forests, these special places could soon be opened to logging, mining and more.
Let's learn more about three of America's wild forests at risk:
If you're curious about what the U.S. looked like before logging and development, roadless areas in the Pisgah National Forest in North Carolina are your answer.
Deep in the forest, these peaceful wild areas are home to some of the last old-growth trees in the Southeast, some of which are more than 100 years old. And these ancient, giant beauties can't be chopped down in the pockets of the Pisgah that are protected from logging and road-building.[1]
Linville Gorge is one protected area where hikers explore trails and forests that feel untouched by time. Miles of rugged terrain, dramatic cliffs and pristine streams are found in this forest.[2]
The roadless areas in Pisgah National Forest provide sanctuary for old-growth trees, and joy and adventure for backpackers, climbers and hunters alike.
Rugged wilderness and wild rivers come to life in Montana's Flathead National Forest, which includes 478,000 acres of roadless areas.[3,][4]
Stretching across the Rocky Mountains just west of Glacier National Park, the roadless areas in Flathead National Forest represent some of the best of the American West. On these vast lands, moose, mountain lions, black bears, elk, mountain goats and other iconic wildlife roam freely.[5]
From hiking to camping, Americans can enjoy these forests alongside precious animals who call them home. But if more logging is allowed here, these animals could lose their homes.
Coronado National Forest boasts more than 400,000 acres of roadless areas in southeastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico.[6] That includes sections of both the Santa Catalina Mountains and the Chiricahua Mountains.[7]
While saguaro cacti rise up to 50 feet into the sky in some parts of Coronado, oak, pine and fir trees are also common here as desert scrub gives way to mountain ranges.[8,9]
Coronado is known for its "sky islands," which are mountains that rise dramatically out of otherwise flat lands, punctuating the desert with lush alpine ecosystems. These so-called islands are some of the most biodiverse areas in the country, supporting hundreds of species from jaguars and ocelots to Montezuma quails.[10,11]
These beautiful forests and the animals that call them home are in danger.
The U.S. Forest Service is actively trying to remove protections for 45 million acres of wild forest land -- protections that shield forests from logging, road-building and mining.[1][2] That includes parts of the Pisgah, Flathead and Coronado National Forests, and dozens of other forests across America.
To stop this plan and keep our forests off the chopping block, Environment Colorado and our partners recently delivered more than 600,000 public comments to the Forest Service.
For now, these roadless forests are protected, allowing them to remain wild and free. With your help, we're working to keep them that way.
Thank you,
Ellen Montgomery
P.S. You can be a guardian for our national forests. Will you donate today to help protect wild places like these forests?
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1. Katie Myers, "Advocates worry about North Carolina's old growth forests, damaged by Hurricane Helene," NPR, January 18, 2025.
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2. Katie Brockman, "Is my Favorite Hiking Trail at Risk?," Environment North Carolina, September 24, 2025.
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3. "Welcome to the Flathead National Forest," U.S. Forest Service, last accessed November 7, 2025.
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4. Micah Drew, "Feds takes next step in removing protections from 6.4 million acres of Montana's national forests," The Daily Montanan, August 28, 2025.
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5. "Hunting, Fishing and Shooting," U.S. Forest Service, March 27, 2025.
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6. Paul Ingram, "Repealing 'Roadless Rule,' Trump rolls back protections for 58M acres of forests & wildlands," Tuscon Sentinel, June 23, 2025.
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7. Paul Ingram, "Repealing 'Roadless Rule,' Trump rolls back protections for 58M acres of forests & wildlands," Tuscon Sentinel, June 23, 2025.
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8. Charlie McDonald, "Saguaro (Carnegiea gigantea)," U.S. Forest Service, last accessed November 18, 2025.
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9. "Natural Resources," U.S. Forest Service, April 4, 2025.
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10. "Animals and Plants," U.S. Forest Service, last accessed November 18, 2025.
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11. "Sky Islands of the Coronado National Forest," U.S. Forest Service, last accessed November 18, 2025.
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12. Ellen Montgomery, "What is the roadless rule and why should you care about it?," Environment America, July 23, 2025.
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