While I certainly do admire Miriam Kurland’s passion for our forests and our environment I find her lack of understanding of environmental science and ecology troubling (“Wild forests play an important role,” letter, Recorder, Jan. 30). A: The main purpose of our forests is not for the benefit of the people — the main purpose of our forests is for the benefit of our environment and the natural ecosystems with which we are all so intrinsically entwined. Besides, not everyone likes walking in the woods. B: If the main purpose of foresters is to treat forests as a crop then like all farmers it is in their best interest to maintain the regrowth of that crop on a regular basis, yes? C: The main purpose of environmental groups is to help keep us from destroying our planet and the ecosystems that we are so dependent upon. D: As for biodiversity, the key is diversity! Most of the animals that hide or nest in the forest feed in the meadows. If you eliminate meadow lands you destroy a significant and necessary element for more than just Bambi but birds, pollinators, rodents, etc. E: If the environmentalists, the conservationists and the foresters all agree on the existing system we have in place for forest management in Massachusetts - why would the writer believe that she and Gov. Maura Healey would know better?

Terry Sprecker

West Hatfield

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