Protester arrested by Humboldt Sheriff at Mckay Tract, most extensive treesit village ever

The Mckay Tract treesits, which have protected an endangered Spotted Owl nesting area for over two and a half years, comprise the most extensive treesit protest ever in California, and probably the world, with traverses to scores of redwood trees. Though most of the trees are second growth, many of them are 5 to 6 feet in diameter at the base, and several Old Growth Giants stand in the grove. Last summer a nesting pair of Spotted Owls raised and trained three baby owls to fly, in the area of the treesits. "Green" Diamond lumber company wants to clearcut the area and have until August 3rd when their Timber Harvest Plan expires (although they could seek an extension from state agencies). They have recently also removed an extensive system of blockades protecting the area from logging trucks. The arrested protester was released from jail.

Spotted owls are under dual threat from extensive logging on the West Coast, and invasion of their territory by Barred Owls, a competing species not native to Spotted Owl habitat. Lumber companies are allowed to kill scores of Spotted Owls each year, under a loophole to the Endangered Species Act called "Incidental Take".