Forests: Earth's Green Gown

Once upon a time the forests were the land. Covering the planet like an elegant drape, they nourished and protected most terrestrial life. Now the fabric is in tatters--slashed by timber interests, agriculture, suburban sprawl and plain human carelessness. In this second installment of our Heroes for the Planet series, we tell the stories of those working to preserve the great swatches of green that still survive

Our Heroes for the Planet series began in the Oct. 5, 1998, issue with a report on people working to protect the seas and coastlines.