We go to our national forests to hike, camp, fish, and cut firewood. But they are more than recreation grounds and stores of resources. Forests provide homes for wild creatures, keep our air clean, and filter our water.
From piñon and juniper scrubland, to ponderosa forests, to high-elevation aspen and fir, our forests are vital to the Colorado Plateau. We work to protect them for plants, animals, and people alike.
We’ve been helping restore the world’s largest contiguous ponderosa pine forest. The long-term project involves thinning of small trees, prescribed burns, and restoring springs and streams on 2.4 million acres across four national forests. More on the Four Forest Restoration Initiative (4FRI) ›
Aspen stands are shady respites in the summer and confetti storms of gold leaves in the fall, but they are losing ground in Utah’s high country. We’re working with the Forest Service, ranchers, and other groups to make sure aspen have a chance to take root. More on our aspen restoration work ›
Throughout the years, our forest lands have been mined, drilled, grazed, and overused. We advocate for the native plants and animals that can’t speak for themselves and work to rebalance extractive uses with conservation. Find out how we're making a difference ›
Forests play a key role in capturing, filtering, and supplying clean water for plant, animal, and human communities. As part of our forest restoration work, we're surveying streams and restoring springs. See what volunteers are helping us accomplish on the ground ›
It's easy to take our forests for granted. But the reality is that unnaturally severe wildfires, drought, and over-use pose serious threats to the ponderosa and aspen landscapes we love.
Scientists agree. The Southwest is heating up. For forests, this means increased drought, pest outbreaks, the spread of invasive species, and more severe wildfires.
The vast majority of our forests are open to grazing. Livestock leave big impacts on the land, including trampled native plants and increased spread of invasive species.
Raging blazes not only threaten homes and infrastructure, but also send loads of ash and debris into our waterways, killing aquatic life and impacting water quality.
We flock to our forests to hike, camp, fish, hunt, and ride off-road vehicles. But increased use is stressing the natural resources and creating problems for land managers.
Why should you care about protecting the woods? For starters, it could save millions of tax payer dollars. Read our seven reasons for forest restoration ›
Want to make a difference on the ground? We have several volunteer trips each year on Arizona's Coconino and Kaibab national forests, and Utah's Fishlake, Dixie, and Manti-La Sal national forests.
Speak up for forest restoration at a moment's notice. We send out timely emails notifying you of opportunities to submit comments, sign petitions, and take other actions on behalf of our public lands.
Aspen trees in a fenced portion of Pando, the world's largest aspen clone, are reaching for the sky. Learn about the effort.
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Help keep mining out of Flagstaff's San Francisco Peaks. Submit your comment by September 14, 2020.
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