Environmentalists have been fighting to save old-growth trees for years. But could these trees be fighting to save the ozone layer?

In May, Oregon Wild (formerly the Natural Resource Council) released a report that shows that Oregon's old-growth trees are some of nature's most effective global warming warriors. In fact, old-growth forests of the Northwest are the world's best carbon cleaners, constantly collecting and storing the air pollution that is the major contributor to global warming.

According to the report, if we carefully conserve our forests, they can play a substantial role in mitigating our current carbon predicament. The report also says that old-growth forests store far more carbon than young forests, since most old forests are still growing and absorbing carbon. When mature forests are harvested, most of the stored carbon is released into the atmosphere.

Carbon storage in forests necessitates letting then grow for long periods without major disturbance.

To read the full report, visit Oregon Wild.

Money for biofuel

Corn-based biofuel is often criticized for boosting the price of corn. Trillium Fiberfuels in Corvallis may have the perfect answer.

The small Oregon startup company is developing new technology to convert waste wood and grass into biofuel.  

According to Rick Wallace, a senior policy analyst for the Oregon Department of Energy, this is the very direction Oregon wants to go with renewable fuel development.  

Recently the company won a $100,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Energy. DOE granted 360 companies nationwide a total of $36 million through the agency's Phase I Small Business Innovation Research program; Trillium FiberFuels was the only Oregon company to receive a grant.

The grant money will boost the company's credibility with investors, but it is not enough for its research, said Chris Beatty, co-founder of Trillium.

Take a creek walk

At least one member of CAN-DO Neighborhood Association would like to see the City of Salem develop a creek walk that loops from Mill Creek to Pringle Creek to the riverfront. Denny Moore, who serves on CAN-DO's Executive Board, introduced the idea to city officials during a Vision 2020 community forum.

One of Vision 2020's themes is to "improve connections to parks, creeks and rivers," so Moore's suggestion is a timely one.

According to Moore one City Council member, Chuck Bennett, has indicated that the idea is very much alive.  The Vision 2020 Action Plan lists "Highlight Pringle Creek, Mill Race, Mill Creek and Willamette River as public open spaces with commercial features as one of the actions under the theme to improve connections to parks, creeks and the river."

The Vision 2020 process is well underway, but there is still time to get involved or volunteer. If you like Moore's idea and want to help make it happen, or if you have other ideas, contact Annie Gorski at  (503) 588-6178 Ext. 7555 or vision2020@cityofsalem.net.