Ever since the pioneers moved into the lush forests of western America in the early 1800s, controversy has been stirred between two elements - those who would utilize the forest, using its lumber to secure the area's economics, and those who would preserve the forest for capricious nature. The author favors the former: protecting the nation's heritage by enhancing vibrant forest communities with meaningful jobs, along with careful management of scenic forests. He claims that the preservationists' agenda, legislated by governments, national and state, contributed to the corruption of forest use in the United States. "Do we want to utilize our precious forests to provide for all of the people in a responsible environmental and economic way, or to spend untold dollars to maintain our valuable forests for inaccessible wilderness set aside for the recreation of elites?" he asks.