Posts in Climate
Barred owls may doom old-growth ecosystems

Serious barred owl encroachment on northern spotted owl habitat has led the US Fish and Wildlife Service to propose a management plan to right the dynamic. Read more about the need for the plan and what the implications could be if the situation is not addressed.

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A Long Time Coming: Forest Service Begins Update of the Northwest Forest Plan

The Northwest Forest Plan is the largest, truly science-based forest and ecosystem management plan in the country, affecting 19 million acres of public lands across western Washington, Oregon, and northern California, and it’s getting an update. Learn more here.

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Finding Relief From Wildfire Smoke

Wildfires are producing intense smoke this summer that can pose serious health risks. Please protect yourself and those you care for from excessive smoke, especially those that have sensitive respiratory systems. Read our blog post if you want to learn more about smoke resources.

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Update on the Poor Windy Old-Growth Timber Sale

The Medford District BLM Poor Windy Timber Sale allows logging on more than 15,000 acres, including cutting down 4,573 acres of mature and old-growth trees.

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Partnership with USFS pays off at Alex Hole meadow

We’re celebrating 7 years of partnership and stewardship with the US Forest Service at Alex Hole meadow on the Siskiyou Crest! Read about our work and victories in this blog post.

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What is in the new inventory of mature and old-growth forests?

The US Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) released the first ever national inventory of mature and old-growth forests. Want to know what this all means for the protection of forests in the Pacific Northwest?

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The Benefits of Beaver

Considering that Oregon is known as the “Beaver State,” regulations are lacking to protect this iconic animal that is present in so many waterways and provides so many ecological and hydrological benefits. Can we, as humans, use our skills to coexist with this essential critter? Proposed HB 3464 will change how Oregonians relate to beavers.

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Oregon’s Untapped Climate Solution

We need to protect Oregon lands from climate extremes and harness their potential as a climate solution. The Senate Committee on Natural Resources has scheduled a hearing on SB 530, common-sense legislation that will help increase carbon sequestration on our forests, agricultural lands, and wetlands and improve the resilience of our water, wildlife, and communities. Learn more about SB 530 and action you can take for natural climate solutions in this blog.

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Wildfire in the Oregon Legislative Session

The Oregon legislature kicked off its 2023 legislative session in early January and wildfire is definitely on policy makers' minds. Revising the controversial statewide wildfire risk map released last year is a top priority. KS Wild is tracking several other wildfire bills in the session and is advocating for policy that protects both our communities and our forests.

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‘Tis the Season for Prescribed Fire

Living in a fire prone area can be scary. We have witnessed destructive wildfires that have left our communities changed forever. The good news is there are actions we can take to prepare our communities for it. Read our blog to learn about the ways prescribed fire can help prevent detrimental wildfire.

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Northwest Forest Plan: Then and Now

The Forest Service is currently in the beginning phases of updating the Northwest Forest Plan, the first large-scale, bioregional forest plan incorporating conservation biology. We will be working with partners to ensure an updated plan reflects the current issues our forests face in the era of climate change. Read our Climate Program’s latest blog post about these critically important NFP updates. 

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KS Wild Forest Defenders Take Action for Old-Growth

This October, KS Wild hosted our first ever Forest Defender Training Series to help community members learn how to advocate for our forests and take action to protect them through writing letters, LTEs, taking action on social media, and more.

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2022 Fire Season in Review

We have recapped the 2022 wildfire’s in the Klamath-Siskiyou region. Please see the bottom of this blog for ways in which you can contribute to the relief efforts for those people and communities most impacted.

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The Importance of Prescribed Burning

Prescribed fire can have many benefits. It can reduce fine fuels, brush and small trees and reduce subsequent fire severity. It can help forests become more resilient in the face of climate change. Read more about prescribed fire policy at this KS Wild Blog Post .

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What is an Old-Growth Forest?

Old-growth forests are dominated by ancient trees and have been shaped by natural processes over the course of hundreds of years. There are several types of old-growth forests throughout the Pacific Northwest marked by dynamic ecosystems supporting biodiversity that relies on the unique environment created only in these ancient forests. Learn more about what features make an old-growth forest.

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Forest Service 10-year Wildfire Strategy

The US Forest Service recently announced a 10-year, multibillion-dollar plan to reduce wildfire risk on up to 50 million acres that border vulnerable communities throughout the country. Read KS Wild’s summary of the plan and how it will impact our work and our region.

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Fire Season & the Politics of Adaptation

In order to adapt to climate change and increased wildfire severity, we need new policies based on climate adaptation for both our communities and our landscapes. While much more needs to be done, as a result of engaged and vocal residents, some of our elected officials are taking action. Here is a rundown of the actions being considered and taken by political leaders at the local, state and federal levels that could help us adapt to the increased risk of wildfire.

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