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ROADLESS FORESTS

Protecting our most pristine forests from development; Preserving resources for wildlife and humankind.

Most Recent Science

Ecological Foundations of Fire Management in North American Forests and Shrubland Ecosystems

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April 16, 2009 - The degree to which human intervention has modified fire frequency, intensity, and severity varies greatly among different ecosystems, and must be considered when planning to alter fuel loads or implement restorative treatments. more

Effects of Timber Harvest Following Wildfire in Western North America

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April 14, 2009 - Timber harvest following wildfire leads to different outcomes depending on the biophysical setting of the forest, pattern of burn severity, operational aspects of tree removal, and other management activities. Removal of snags reduces long-term fuel loads but generally results in increased amounts of fire fuels for the first few years after logging unless surface fuels are effectively treated. more

Restoration of Low Elevation Dry Forests of the Northern Rocky Mountains: A Holistic Approach

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February 3, 2009 - Dry forests of the northern Rocky Mountains can be described as stands of pure ponderosa pine, or pine intermixed with Douglas-fir and western larch that cover the lower slopes of these mountains and provide important habitat for a number of wildlife species. Since the beginning of the 19th century, these forests were greatly affected by logging, grazing, road-building, and fire suppression. Such activities changed the structure of the forests reducing their ecological integrity. more

Roadless Area Conservation Along Montana’s Rocky Mountain Front: Are We Losing Ground?

January 16, 2009 - The Rocky Mountain Ranger District on the Lewis and Clark National Forest is a biologically rich landscape that harbors a vast array of important vegetative types and wildlife species — from raptors and songbirds to carnivores such as the grizzly bear, gray wolf, wolverine, and lynx. Free of roads and motorized trails in designated Wilderness and other large core areas, the District exhibits an extraordinary wild nature that nurtures viable populations of wide-ranging wildlife species. more