KLAMATH FOREST, Calif. — It’s been a problem for years but is reaching a critical level: people growing illegal drugs in our country’s forests.
These grows cause environmental damage that destroys plants and kills animals. In the northernmost national forest in California, a team of conservationists and U.S. Forest Service rangers are teaming up to tackle this problem and eradicate these harmful grow sites.
“We have this amazing, abundant wildlife, nature up here,” said U.S. Forest Service Ranger Chris Magallon.
It’s a sacred space Magallon swore to defend.
“Our duty is to protect our national forests and our public lands and preserve it for future generations. That’s what drives us to be up here,” said Magallon.
But in many places, the forest is being poisoned by illegal marijuana grows.
Rangers identify the plots. Some are abandoned. Some are active with armed cultivators. And then, once the people behind the operation scatter or are arrested, the cleanup begins.
The growers hike in or build everything they need for a few months at a time.
“I’ve seen all kinds of everything from they make their own kind of flush toilet out there,” said Magallon. “I’ve seen gym equipment they made using wood for barbells. I’ve seen where they had a poker table set up.”
Magallon said the teams have also found everything from firearms to children’s toys.
Every camp is full of hundreds of pounds of trash.
“These individuals have decided to grow in the national forest, in our public lands…
Original Author Link click here to read complete story..
KLAMATH FOREST, Calif. — It’s been a problem for years but is reaching a critical level: people growing illegal drugs in our country’s forests.
These grows cause environmental damage that destroys plants and kills animals. In the northernmost national forest in California, a team of conservationists and U.S. Forest Service rangers are teaming up to tackle this problem and eradicate these harmful grow sites.
“We have this amazing, abundant wildlife, nature up here,” said U.S. Forest Service Ranger Chris Magallon.
It’s a sacred space Magallon swore to defend.
“Our duty is to protect our national forests and our public lands and preserve it for future generations. That’s what drives us to be up here,” said Magallon.
But in many places, the forest is being poisoned by illegal marijuana grows.
Rangers identify the plots. Some are abandoned. Some are active with armed cultivators. And then, once the people behind the operation scatter or are arrested, the cleanup begins.
The growers hike in or build everything they need for a few months at a time.
“I’ve seen all kinds of everything from they make their own kind of flush toilet out there,” said Magallon. “I’ve seen gym equipment they made using wood for barbells. I’ve seen where they had a poker table set up.”
Magallon said the teams have also found everything from firearms to children’s toys.
Every camp is full of hundreds of pounds of trash.
“These individuals have decided to grow in the national forest, in our public lands…
