Our Work Forests

Improving the health of our national forests in Utah and Arizona

We work to protect our forests for plants, animals, and people alike.

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 pinyon and juniper scrubland, to ponderosa forests, to high-elevation aspen and fir, our forests are vital to the Colorado Plateau.

We restore forests

We are helping restore the world’s largest contiguous ponderosa pine forest in northern Arizona. 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.

We protect aspen forests

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.

We advocate for old growth

When agencies propose clear-cutting projects, we work to protect old-growth pinyon and juniper trees. We also collect data on pinyon jays to inform sound management of forests in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and beyond.

Healthy forests = healthy waters

Forests play a key role in capturing, filtering, and supplying clean water for plant, animal, and human communities. We’re restoring springs and streams to help make our forests more resilient.

Lend a hand

Threats to our national forests

It’s easy to take our forests for granted. But the reality is that unnaturally severe wildfires, drought, and overuse pose serious threats to the ponderosa and aspen forests we love.

Climate change

Scientists agree. The Southwest is heating up. For forests, this means increased drought, pest outbreaks, the spread of invasive species, and more severe wildfires.

Overgrazing

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.

Wildfire

Wildfires not only threaten homes and infrastructure, but also send loads of ash and debris into our waterways, killing aquatic life and impacting water quality.

Recreation

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.

7 reasons for forest restoration

Why should you care about protecting our forests? For starters, it could save millions of taxpayer dollars.

Read 7 reasons for forest restoration

Birdwatchers needed

Grab your binoculars and help us spot pinyon jays. We need volunteers to help gather information about pinyon jays. Knowing where the birds are helps us advocate against clear-cutting of the forests they depend on.