Environmental activist groups have begun lobbying against logging at Pirate’s Wharf

Pirate’s Wharf Forest, an older, 240-acre forest near Salisbury, has been targeted for commercial logging this summer.

The forest itself is home to a plethora of wildlife and ecosystems unseen in any other forest in Wicomico County. Additionally, locals partake of recreational activities within that forest, such as mountain biking and walking the trails.

Environmental activist groups such as The Old-Growth Forest Network and Friends of the Forest have begun lobbying against the logging of Pirate’s Wharf, along with two student groups from Salisbury University.

The Old-Growth Forest Network, started by Joan Maloof in 2007, dedicated its mission to saving these older forests across the United States. Several years ago, Maloof turned Pirate’s Wharf into a 9/11 Memorial ground by tagging 300 trees with 9/11 victim’s names.

Friends of the Forest is a Facebook-based group of area environmental activists. It was started by Salisbury resident Brian Knode to promote and advocate environmental protection.

Last but not least are two groups of Salisbury University students who have been working to save the forest, using it as the focus of a senior capstone seminar class. For their capstone experience, both groups have chosen to work with the Old-Growth Forest Network.

One group created a short promotional video and a corresponding full documentary that were released at the end of April, while the other group created a petition and hosted a benefit concert in early April.

Both groups have the same end goal: Saving the Pirate’s Wharf Forest from commercial logging.

A passion for environmental protection is present in these individuals, as well an understanding of the importance of a long-term investment in the forest. It’s so important that John Giffin and I, as members of these groups, attended a Wicomico County Council meeting April 5 to speak about protecting the forest.

Giffin and his group plan to make the documentary available to the public to garner attention for the forest. In addition, my group intends to send the completed petition to the County Council before the summer begins – to showcase the public’s desire to maintain the forest’s original state.

With a collection of 600-plus signatures on the petition, release of the documentary and continuous community involvement, we believe the county is deciding against commercially logging Pirate’s Wharf Forest. There are plans being debated by the County Council on what to do with the park.

Coye Gerald is a senior at Salisbury University.

HOW TO HELP

Email:

John Giffin, jgiffin1@gulls.salisbury.edu

Coye Gerald, coyger@gmail.com