Wednesday, March 4th
Webinar with Dr. William Moomaw on the Irreplaceable Value of Mature Trees for Curbing Climate Change
Featuring internationally renowned climate scientist Dr. William Moomaw, the webinar sparked widespread interest with over 200 attendees across Massachusetts and beyond (LA and Vancouver). Melissa Brown of Trees as a Public Good Network spoke about three MA forest protection bills, which have since been revamped into a new bill – now under study by Massachusetts tree communities.
Dr. Moomaw’s presentation “Older Trees Reduce Impacts from Hanscom” augmented SPJE’s position that destroying climate-change curbing mature trees to make way for super-emitting private jet expansion is indefensible and irrational; this would simultaneously amplify the problem and destroy a critical solution.
Webinar Links
Webinar in the News
Acres of Mature Trees Threatened by Proposed Hanscom Expansion ∙ Letter to the Editor ∙ The Bedford Citizen ∙ 3/9/26
Follow-up Action:
Please sign this petitionto Gov. Maura Healey to urge her to stop private jet expansion and save an irreplaceable stand of mature trees at Hanscom Field. (If you’re not sure whether you’ve signed before, sign anyway. We remove duplications.)
Additional Opportunities to Hear Dr. Moomaw Speak
New Documentary Film: “Proforestation: Letting Forests Grow Old”
Featuring Dr. William Moomaw, Susan Masino, and George Wuerthner – Released on 2/22/26
This video explains the concept of proforestation and its benefits. It advocates for allowing existing forests to grow to their full ecological potential. It emphasizes that protecting mature forests is the most effective way to maximize carbon storage, enhance watersheds’ full capacity, and protect biodiversity.
The film references this 2019 paper by Moomaw, Masino and Faison:
Intact Forests in the United States: Proforestation Mitigates Climate Change and Serves the Greatest Good
Sunday May 3rd, 2pm: Thoreau's Forests, Trees and Climate Change.
In person at Concord First Parish (not hybrid, but recording of the event will be available post-event): Q+A and refreshments
