NWTF, USDA Forest Service Strengthen Forest Restoration Efforts in Klamath National Forest
EDGEFIELD S.C. — The National Wild Turkey Federation and the USDA Forest Service continue their commitment to accelerating the pace and scale of forest stewardship across the West, thanks to a new supplemental project agreement in northern California. This agreement, which builds on the existing National Master Stewardship Agreement, expands forest restoration efforts in the Klamath National Forest and introduces a broader scope of non-timber removal projects aimed at wildfire risk reduction, forest health and wildlife habitat improvement.
The Klamath River project is located within the Klamath River Basin priority landscape, identified under the USDA’s Wildfire Crisis Strategy, and will help mitigate wildfire threats to surrounding wildland urban interface (WUI), areas where wildfires pose a significant threat to nearby communities. At the same time, the project will enhance forest resiliency and benefit habitat for wildlife species, including the wild turkey.
“Our work in WUI areas will not only benefit wild turkey habitats, but also help protect nearby communities,” said Coralee Ditman, NWTF wildfire crisis coordinator for Region 5. “Fuels reduction work is a crucial piece of the Wildfire Crisis Strategy. I am equally excited about the survey portion of this project that will pave the way for future efforts.”
The project’s key tasks include vegetation management and fuels reduction across 883 acres of the Klamath National Forest. These efforts will involve slashing dead trees, cutting overgrown brush, thinning small-diameter hardwoods and conifers and pruning select trees to reduce fire risk and promote healthy forest structure.
Additionally, the project encompasses a significant survey component, including 4,000 acres of archeology surveys, 5,000 acres of botany surveys, 2,000 acres of northern spotted owl surveys and 34,000 acres of goshawk surveys. These surveys will enable future project work that will continue to build on these stewardship efforts.
This expanded scope of stewardship aligns with NWTF’s values to enhance forest and wildlife habitat health, while also protecting vital community resources in wildfire-prone areas. The partnership with the USDA Forest Service continues to play a critical role in advancing shared stewardship goals, particularly in regions vulnerable to wildfires.
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.