Timber Wars is a seven-part podcast hosted by Aaron Scott and produced by Oregon Public Broadcasting.

Timber Wars
Presentation
Hosted byAaron Scott
GenreEnvironmentalism
LanguageEnglish
Length30–45 minutes
Production
Theme music composed byLaura Gibson
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes7 Standard + 5 Bonus
Publication
Original releaseSeptember 22, 2020[1] –
May 7, 2021
ProviderOregon Public Broadcasting
Related
Related shows
Websitewww.opb.org/show/timberwars/

Background

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The show was produced by Oregon Public Broadcasting.[2][3] The show discusses the conservation movement that took place in the Pacific Northwest in the 1990s.[4][5] The show discusses the complicated conflict between environmentalists and loggers that occurred during the period known as the timber wars.[6] The show discusses the history of logging and how forests were viewed as potential tree farms.[7] Forester and dendrologists wanted to study and preserve old-growth forests, but were viewed negatively until the 1990s when large environmental protests began.[7] At the same time, wildlife conservation for animals like the northern spotted owl became an issue.[8][9] The show discusses a twenty-five year period of forestry and forest management.[7] Aaron Scott is the host of the show—he grew up in Steamboat, Oregon not too far away from where the events of the show took place.[10]

Episodes

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Introductory episode

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TitleRunning
time
Original release date
"Timber Wars Trailer"1:54August 28, 2020 (2020-08-28)

Season 1

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No.TitleRunning
time
Original release date
1"The Last Stand"30:37September 22, 2020 (2020-09-22)
2"The Ancient Forest"32:37September 22, 2020 (2020-09-22)
3"The Owl"33:10September 22, 2020 (2020-09-22)
4"Mill City"33:03September 22, 2020 (2020-09-22)
5"The Plan"38:05September 22, 2020 (2020-09-22)
6"The Backlash"33:15September 22, 2020 (2020-09-22)
7"A Way Forward"38:26October 3, 2020 (2020-10-03)
Bonus–Episode"Big Money Bought the Forest"35:33November 17, 2020 (2020-11-17)
Guest–Episode"Grouse"19:02November 21, 2020 (2020-11-21)
This bonus episode is from the podcast called "Grouse"
Guest–Episode"How to Save a Planet"60:27June 1, 2021 (2021-06-01)
This bonus episode is from the podcast called "How to Save a Planet"
Bonus–Episode"Wildfire"43:47January 28, 2021 (2021-01-28)
Bonus–Episode"The Woman Who Would Talk to Trees"59:08May 28, 2021 (2021-05-28)
This episode features an interview with Suzanne Simard about the Social World of Trees

Reception

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Nicholas Kristof of The New York Times commented on the show saying that "Listeners are left with both an appreciation of the magnificence of old growth forests and the toll paid by logging communities when those forests were protected. Environmentalists and loggers don't agree on much, but I think they will concur that 'Timber Wars' is fair and brilliant journalism."[citation needed]

Awards

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Award Date Category Result Ref.
National Headliner Awards 2021 Narrative Podcast 1 [11][12]
MIT Knight Science Journalism Program's Victor K. McElheny Award 2021 Local and Regional Science Journalism for Episode 1: The Last Stand and Episode 2: The Ancient Forest Won [13]
Society of Professional Journalism Awards 2021 Audio: Series—Large Newsroom Division 1 [14]
Society of Professional Journalism Awards 2021 Audio: Feature, Hard News—Large Newsroom Division for Episode 3: The Owl 1 [14]
Scripps Howard Awards 2020 Excellence in Environmental Reporting Finalist [15][16]

References

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  1. ^ Trainor, Tim (September 6, 2020). "OPB to Release "Timber Wars" Podcast September 22". Herald and News. Adams Publishing Group. Archived from the original on September 6, 2020. Retrieved April 1, 2022.
  2. ^ "Listen: 'Timber Wars,' a new podcast from OPB". KHSU. September 1, 2020. Archived from the original on April 12, 2022. Retrieved April 1, 2022.
  3. ^ Riley, Geoffrey (October 13, 2020). "OPB Podcasts on Oregon's Timber Wars". Jefferson Public Radio. Southern Oregon University. Archived from the original on October 31, 2020. Retrieved April 1, 2022.
  4. ^ "New OPB podcast "Timber Wars" examines the battle over Northwest forests that began 30 years ago". Argus Observer. Wick Communications. September 4, 2020. Archived from the original on September 19, 2020. Retrieved April 1, 2022.
  5. ^ Granillo, Gabriel (September 22, 2020). "The Spotted Owl, the Timber Economy, and the Epic Conflict That Defined Our Forests: Timber Wars Host Aaron Scott Talks About the New OPB Pod, Science Writing, and the Ongoing Battle Over Pacific Northwest Forests". Portland Monthly. SagaCity Media. Archived from the original on April 1, 2022. Retrieved April 1, 2022.
  6. ^ Frankowicz, Katie (September 21, 2020). "New Podcast Examines Oregon's Timber Wars: OPB Delves Into Complicated History". The Astorian. EO Media Group. Archived from the original on October 3, 2020. Retrieved April 1, 2022.
  7. ^ a b c Berger, Erin (November 11, 2020). "Three New Environmental Podcasts You'll Want to Binge: These Fascinating Shows Offer a Behind-the-Scenes Look at Conservation Battles and Youth Climate Activism". Outside. Archived from the original on November 15, 2021. Retrieved April 1, 2022.
  8. ^ Vondersmith, Jason (September 29, 2020). "'Timber Wars': OPB Looks Back at Environmentalists vs. Timber Industry. It All Started With the Northern Spotted Owl's Threatened Designation, Which Changed Oregon Forever". Pamplin Media Group. Archived from the original on May 8, 2021. Retrieved April 1, 2022.
  9. ^ Leadingham, Scott (December 3, 2020). "Much More Than a Spotted Owl Fight: Northwest 'Timber Wars' of 30 Years Ago Revisited in Podcast". Northwest Public Radio. Washington State University. Archived from the original on May 18, 2021. Retrieved April 1, 2022.
  10. ^ Lay, Jennie (February 9, 2021). Greeson, Dan (ed.). "Seven Binge-Worthy Podcasts". Steamboat Magazine. Vol. 43, no. 1 (2021 ed.). Steamboat Springs, US: Ski Town Publications, Inc. and The Steamboat Springs Chamber Resort Association. p. 62. Archived from the original on April 1, 2022. Retrieved April 1, 2022 – via Issuu.
  11. ^ "2021 – Online | National Headliner Awards". National Headliner Awards. 2021. Archived from the original on January 23, 2022. Retrieved April 1, 2022.
  12. ^ "Trio of Podcasts Among 87th National Headliner Awards Winners". InsideRadio.com. May 14, 2021. Archived from the original on April 1, 2022. Retrieved April 1, 2022.
  13. ^ ""Timber Wars" From Oregon Public Broadcasting Wins McElhanney Award for Local Science Reporting: Knight Science Journalism Program at MIT Also Recognizes Reporting From the Boston Globe, Detroit Free Press, the Arizona Republic, and Boston's WBUR". MIT News. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. April 8, 2021. Archived from the original on April 1, 2022. Retrieved April 1, 2022.
  14. ^ a b "SPJ Regional Contest Winners Announced". Society of Professional Journalists. May 20, 2021. Archived from the original on May 21, 2021. Retrieved April 1, 2022.
  15. ^ Lewis, Courtney (March 9, 2021). "The 68th Scripps Howard Awards Honor Best of 2020 Journalism". E. W. Scripps Company. Archived from the original on April 13, 2021. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
  16. ^ Kroeger, Mark (March 9, 2021). Batts Jr., Dr. Battinto (ed.). "Excellence in Environmental Reporting: Winner—"Rising Waters" from The Post and Courier (Charleston, South Carolina)" (PDF). E. W. Scripps Company. p. 15. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 12, 2022.
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