Robinson Forest to be Cut Down!!!!
Posted: Thu Sep 06, 2007 4:50 pm
According to sources inside UK's Environmental Science Department, the University of Kentucky's Board of Trustees and President Lee Todd have signed off on a proposal that would allow logging and strip mining to occur within the main tract of Robinson Forest as early as October of 2007.
For those of you who don't know Robinson Forest is a 15,000 acre, old growth woodland located in Breathitt, Knott and Perry counties. In 1923 the logging tycoon E. O. Robinson entrusted this land to the University of Kentucky for the purpose of “agricultural experimental work and teaching, and the practical demonstration of reforestation…and for the betterment of the people of Eastern Kentucky." Over the last 75 years the University has kept it's promise to protect this land; transforming it into a training ground for loggers, foresters, natural resource professionals, and students alike, but things are about to change. The Board of Trustees intends to allow the main tract of the forest to be clear cut and then mined for coal. This is in addition to the "4,000 acre Laurel Fork" portion of the preserve that has already suffered irreparable damage at the hands of logging and mining companies. PLEASE do not let this happen to what remains of a fantastic resource. Write a letter, call your state representative, or simply visit Robinsonforest.org and fill out their form letter demanding that the University of Kentucky do its duty to our state and PROTECT ROBINSON FOREST.
The University has done a fairly good job of keeping this quiet, so if anyone has reliable contacs within the administration please contact them and ask for more information. My intellegence comes directly from my professor and his department chair and is therefore limited, but knowledge is power, so the more the better.
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For those of you who don't know Robinson Forest is a 15,000 acre, old growth woodland located in Breathitt, Knott and Perry counties. In 1923 the logging tycoon E. O. Robinson entrusted this land to the University of Kentucky for the purpose of “agricultural experimental work and teaching, and the practical demonstration of reforestation…and for the betterment of the people of Eastern Kentucky." Over the last 75 years the University has kept it's promise to protect this land; transforming it into a training ground for loggers, foresters, natural resource professionals, and students alike, but things are about to change. The Board of Trustees intends to allow the main tract of the forest to be clear cut and then mined for coal. This is in addition to the "4,000 acre Laurel Fork" portion of the preserve that has already suffered irreparable damage at the hands of logging and mining companies. PLEASE do not let this happen to what remains of a fantastic resource. Write a letter, call your state representative, or simply visit Robinsonforest.org and fill out their form letter demanding that the University of Kentucky do its duty to our state and PROTECT ROBINSON FOREST.
The University has done a fairly good job of keeping this quiet, so if anyone has reliable contacs within the administration please contact them and ask for more information. My intellegence comes directly from my professor and his department chair and is therefore limited, but knowledge is power, so the more the better.
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