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4FRI - what we do (text)

4FRI field trip

Power in partnerships

Large-scale restoration involves a lot of people, a lot of planning, and a lot of coordination. Day-to-day, we spend a lot of time in meetings, discussing past restoration activities and planning future thinning and prescribed burns.  

4FRI field trip

Field trips

In places where restoration is underway, we visit tracts to monitor the size and spacing of trees left behind. We also look at untreated stands to determine which trees should be cut. Our field trips help us track progress and tweak plans.

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Survey springs and streams

Forest restoration and the health of our water sources go hand-in-hand. We’re collecting baseline data on springs and streams so that over time, we can track the impacts of forest restoration on our water. More on our projects ›

4FRI - map

Four Forest Resotration (4FRI) Map of Project Area

4FRI - what's wrong

What's wrong with forests in northern Arizona?

There are too many trees. 

Fire used to be frequent in the Southwest’s ponderosa pine forests, clearing out understories of saplings and maintaining open stands of large, well-spaced trees. According to lore, ranchers could drive wagons through the “park-like” woodlands. But decades of fire suppression allowed spindly trunks to crowd our national forests, and the unnaturally dense conditions now fuel severe wildfires, putting communities and wildlife at risk.

4FRI - Clarence Dutton quote

Description of the Kaibab Plateau, circa 1872:

The trees are large and noble in aspect and stand widely apart, except in the highest part of the plateau where spruces dominate. Instead of dense thickets where we are shut in by impenetrable foliage, we can look far beyond and see the tree trunks vanishing away like an infinite colonnade. The grounds unobstructed and inviting. There is a constant succession of parks and glades, dream avenues of grass and flowers winding between sylvan walls, or spreading out in broad open meadows. From June until September, there is a display of wildflowers which is quite beyond description. 

— Clarence Dutton, geologist for the United States Geological Survey 

4FRI - 1908 vs 1990

1909

Open forest structure

1938

1930s forest structure

1990

1990 forest structure

4FRI - in action

4FRI - in action

4FRI in action

By accelerating forest restoration, 4FRI seeks to:

  • Create healthy forests to sustain native plants and animals
  • Minimize the threat of destructive wildfires
  • Protect springs and streams
  • Strengthen local economies
  • Engage the public in the restoration process

AZ Forest Restoration - why care

Forests play a key role in capturing, filtering, and supplying clean water for the communities, plants, and animals that live nearby. The state of Arizona only receives about 12 inches of rain each year, so it's important to conserve and protect our scarce water resources. 

What are the threats?

Climate change — Climate change is already affecting the Colorado Plateau, and scientists agree that the Southwest will continue to get hotter and drier over the coming decades. For forests, this means increased stress from drought, invasive species, pest outbreaks, and fires.

Wildfire — Big blazes not only threaten homes and infrastructure, but they also send loads of ash and debris into our waterways, which can kill aquatic life and impact water quality.

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4FRI - why care

Why care about forest restoration in Arizona?

What's the big deal about protecting the woods? For starters, it could save millions of tax payer dollars. 

7 reasons for forest restoration

Forest Restoration Blog

10/30/23

You have the opportunity to comment on how you think some of the most beautiful landscapes in Utah should be managed for the next generation to come.

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06/27/23

Tree ring data helps scientists and land managers protect old-growth pinyon and juniper trees.

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10/5/21

Pack your camera and head for the trees! The Colorado Plateau has some of the best displays of fall foliage all season long.

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