THIS ISSUE of High Country News explores the theme of food and power, and at the risk of hitting the nail on the head too squarely, the old forest does not offer us food directly. Old forests like the one at Black Ram are a lifeboat, and we are its passengers. Old forests like the one at Black Ram are a lifeboat, and we are its passengers. With the complex and crafted integrity of her species, she protects the old forest, which cools our planet. The old and mature forests do not grow our food.