The Pacific Northwest encompasses rugged coastlines, volcanic peaks and temperate rainforests that extend from northern California through western Oregon and Washington. This region is home to mature and old-growth forests, featuring ancient, towering trees that provide critical habitat for diverse wildlife. “Mature” forests are vital for species reliant on larger trees and are essential for growing the old-growth forests of the future. Past logging and development, however, have significantly reduced these ecosystems to a fraction of their original extent.
The foundational policy guiding the management of nearly 20 million acres across 17 National Forests — an area about the size of the state of Indiana — in this region is the Northwest Forest Plan. Originally designed in 1994 to balance timber production and forest preservation, the Northwest Forest Plan covers lands that include wild, salmon-rich rivers, world-class recreational areas, and, of course, mature and old-growth forests. The U.S. Forest Service is currently updating this essential plan for managing these National Forests.
The Northwest Forest Plan update focuses on increasing Tribal involvement and addressing climate challenges like extreme wildfire risks. The Forest Service proposes protecting most old-growth forests while using tools like thinning and prescribed burns to reduce the risk of severe wildfire. Following President-elect Trump’s election, this effort could shift toward more timber harvesting, threatening the plan's conservation goals.
Protecting mature and old-growth forest habitats requires thoughtful, strategic management that preserves the defining characteristics of these ecosystems while addressing the risks posed by severe wildfire and climate change. A science-driven approach is essential to balance habitat conservation with forest restoration and sustainable timber harvest practices.
To ensure the updated plan effectively supports conservation, Defenders of Wildlife is advocating for management strategies prioritizing the survival of imperiled wildlife across these forest landscapes. These approaches aim to create sustainable, fire resilient habitats and address specific threats to vulnerable species, fostering long-term ecological balance.
Old Forest Buffer Zones, Coastal Martens and Red Tree Voles
Creating buffer zones around critical old-growth habitats can minimize disturbance to species sensitive to habitat changes. Two examples of these species include the coastal marten and red tree vole.
Coastal Martens were listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act in 2020. These small mammals rely on the understory of mature and old-growth forests for cover, food and protection from predators. They are particularly vulnerable to deforestation.
Red tree voles live their entire lives in the canopy of old-growth conifers, feeding on Douglas-fir needles. Their nests are often found in mature and old-growth trees, and they are a key prey item for the threatened Northern spotted owl.
Retaining Key Habitat Structures, Del Norte Salamanders and Pacific fishers
Forest thinning is often used to reduce the density of trees in a forest, which in turn can lower the risk of severe wildfires. Thinning should be designed to protect snags, — or standing dead trees — downed logs and multi-layered canopies which are essential for species like the Del Norte salamander and Pacific fisher.
Del Norte salamanders are terrestrial salamanders. They thrive in the moist microclimates of mature and old-growth forests, particularly in the cool spaces under rock piles called talus slopes. The trees in an old forest provide essential shade that keeps salamander habitat humid and cool. As an indicator species, its presence signals healthy forest floor ecosystems.
Pacific Fishers depend on mature and old-growth forests for shelter and food and use large trees and logs for denning. Retaining large trees, snags and downed logs, while maintaining tree canopy cover, can help ensure this mid-sized carnivore has adequate shelter, prey availability and habitat to move across the landscape. Fisher help control small mammal populations and overall forest biodiversity.
Prescribed Burns and Great Gray Owls
Prescribed burns, if carefully managed, can mimic natural fire cycles. This helps clear excess vegetation while preserving old-growth features important to species like the Great grey owl.
Great gray owls rely on large trees adjacent to meadows for hunting and nesting. This owl’s survival is tightly linked to these old trees for nesting habitat. Prescribed fire can benefit Great gray owls by maintaining the forest-meadow ecosystems on which they depend for hunting and nesting.
The Way Forward
The stakes could not be higher for the Northwest’s forests and wildlife. Defenders will work with our allies to continue to make the case that mature and old-growth forests are essential to wildlife. Northwest Forest Plan updates must continue to prioritize conservation and balance the needs for fire resilience with protection for species dependent on mature and old-growth forests. This careful approach is critical for maintaining both biodiversity and the health of the Pacific Northwest’s iconic forests.
Please join us and support Defenders of Wildlife in our effort to protect Pacific Northwest forests. It is our duty to protect these ecosystems for future generations.
Author
Joseph Vaile
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