The good old days are gone

Hey all you timber industry folks out there monitoring this site- I hate to break the bad news to you, but the good old days are gone. The big trees are finally about gone, there's only about 1-5% of the original native forests left in the US. Adaptability is one of your greatest assets in life, and the sooner the timber industry admits that the big trees are gone and moves on to something else, like a focus on restoration, the easier it's going to be on yourselves.
A poll of citizens in Oregon was conducted by a respected polling firm, the same firm used by the republican party, and they determined that the majority of citizens in the state of Oregon are in favor of preserving old-growth forests. That included both citizens in rural areas, and metropolitan areas. It is clear that the public is against cutting old-growth. When I am doing something and someone tells me they don't like what I am doing, I usually listen. When alot of people tell me they don't like what I am doing, I really listen. I think it is time for the timber industry to listen to the people, this isn't just a fringe of the public saying "stop cutting old-growth", it's a lot of people who disapprove of this practice. Sayings like ride a dead horse till it drops apply here. The horse is dead and it's time to get off this ride. A woman who is no spring chicken told me the other day that she felt the timber industry was a bunch of whining,crying brats and bullys who refuse to adapt to modern life and conditions. I told her I know that loggers have a tradition and way of life that they are proud of, that has been passed down through the generations. I told her we need to respect the hard work and way of life of the loggers, and help them to find work in sustainable occupations like restoring forests, and thinning plantations that need it. There is plenty of meaningful work out there, and it would be alot safer than falling and yarding big timber.
Once again, adaptability and flexibility are our greatest asset in life, many people in all walks of life change and restructure their occupations, sometimes we all have to change, and oftentimes it's for the better. I have had to do this several times myself, due to increased competition, market conditions, or circumstances. Sometimes it's no fun but something you have to do. It seems to me like the controversy over old-growth in NOT going to end, it's just going to continue to grow, so it's time for the industry to adapt. I hope all the hard working loggers who pride themselves on a hard days work can find sustainable work and continue to feed their familys, while improving the enviornment for future generations. It would be good to see alot of worker owned companys doing restoration work.