NWTF Expands Pacific Northwest Partnership with USDA Forest Service to Tackle Post-Wildfire Recovery in Oregon
EDGEFIELD, S.C.— Building on an existing agreement with the USDA Forest Service in the Pacific Northwest, the National Wild Turkey Federation recently signed a new project in southern Oregon. This project, under the Master National Stewardship Agreement, aims to restore critical forest areas impacted by the catastrophic wildfires of 2020 and 2021.
The Umpqua Fire Restoration project will address the widespread damage caused by multiple fires, including the Archie, Jack, Rough Patch, Thielsen and Devils Knob fires that burned across Oregon and the Umpqua National Forest. These fires devastated hundreds of thousands of acres, destroying homes, private lands and recreation sites while severely impacting wildlife habitat, water quality and recreational opportunities, including hunting.
Through this new project, the NWTF in partnership with the Forest Service, will work to mitigate the effects of these fires by implementing a comprehensive hazard tree removal project. The scope of work includes treating approximately 5,100 acres of Umpqua National Forest land and 120 miles of Forest Service system roads. The primary objective is to remove roadside hazard trees within the fire footprints, ensuring safe access for both the public and Forest Service personnel.
“As the wildfire crisis manager, I am excited to implement this project to mitigate the dangers of hazard trees along priority roadways,” said Molly Pitts, NWTF wildfire crisis manager. “Having safe access is critical to both the public and the Forest Service and this project will start to restore many acres damaged from past fires.”
The NWTF’s role in this project will involve cutting, skidding (transporting cut trees from the forest), decking (piling cut trees) and removing burnt trees that can become a dangerous “blowdown” tree in high winds. Much of the material removed will be cull or biomass of low to no value. When feasible, saw timber will be harvested for commercial use.
This project aligns with NWTF’s Four Shared Values: clean water, healthy forests and wildlife habitat, resilient communities and robust recreational opportunities. The NWTF is committed to increasing the scope of its work while remaining true to our mission of conserving the wild turkey and preserving our hunting heritage.
Learn more about the Wildfire Crisis Strategy and the relationship between wild turkeys and catastrophic wildfire prevention.
About the National Wild Turkey Federation
Since 1973, the National Wild Turkey Federation has invested over half a billion dollars into wildlife conservation and has positively impacted over 23 million acres of critical wildlife habitat. The NWTF has also invested over $10 million into wild turkey research to guide the management of the wild turkey population and to ensure sustainable populations into perpetuity. The organization continues to deliver its mission by working across boundaries on a landscape scale through its Four Shared Values: clean and abundant water, healthy forests and wildlife habitat, resilient communities, and robust recreational opportunities. With the help of its dedicated members, partners and staff, the NWTF continues its work to provide Healthy Habitats. and Healthy Harvests. for future generations.