Anthony Botello agreed to an hour-long interview with a Missoulian reporter when he was about three months into the job. The wide-ranging discussion touched on staffing challenges, Holland Lake Lodge, recreation development in grizzly habitat and the closure of Pyramid Lumber Mill in Seeley Lake. Botello also recounted his career path and outlined his philosophy on public engagement, as well as his love for wilderness passion for working for the Forest Service.
The Biden administration’s December announcement that it plans to protect from logging old-growth trees such as those slated for removal in the Yaak’s Black Ram timber sale, is a reason for everyone to celebrate. Few old-growth forest lands remain in the West and even fewer in Montana. Losing these forests to the saw is counter to all our best interests. These forests are critical to mitigating climate change and once lost, will take centuries to replace. We simply don’t have the time.
This article originally appeared on Inside Climate News, a nonprofit, independent news organization that covers climate, energy and the environment. It is republished with permission..