FIELD REPORT: Medford BLM botched forest management above the Wild & Scenic Rogue River
The Medford Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) clearcuts speak for themselves—and it's not a pretty story. Following the Rum Creek fire just upslope of the Wild & Scenic Rogue River outside of Galice, OR, the BLM engaged in extensive post-fire roadside clearcutting.
In our latest video field report, we walk you through what we saw: clearcuts, slash piles, washed out riparian areas, and trash dumping. Warning: It’s not a pretty sight.
KS in the Press
Today forest conservation organizations filed a legal challenge in Medford federal district court challenging the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) latest old-growth timber sale located in the Cascade foothills east of the community of Sunny Valley, Oregon.
KS Wild and partners are litigating against the BLM’s Rogue Gold timber sale behind the community of Gold Hill and Rogue River, OR. The forests being targeted for logging are resilient, healthy, older forests that are designated as reserves for conservation, recreation, and water protection.
KS Wild and partners are taking the BLM to court on Tuesday, April 2nd against the BLM’s Integrated Vegetation Management (IVM) project.
Breaking News! The D.C. Court of Appeals just affirmed the legality of an expansion of the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument. This is a pivotal decision that means that Western Oregon BLM lands can be managed for social and environmental values, not just timber production.
In a legal victory, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today agreed to reconsider whether West Coast fishers in northern California and southern Oregon warrant protection under the Endangered Species Act. Read the full press release here.
A coalition of conservation organizations filed a legal complaint challenging the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) “Integrated Vegetation Management” (IVM) program that would aggressively log forest stands located within Late Successional Reserves, areas purportedly set aside for forest conservation.
Judge in the District Court for the District of Oregon ruled that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service justification for Bureau of Land Management timber sales totaling nearly 18,000 acres including old growth forests violated the Endangered Species Act.
Klamath-Siskiyou Wildlands Center joined the Center for Biological Diversity and the Environmental Protection Information Center in suing the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today for denying endangered species protection to West Coast fishers.
Send an Action
The Medford BLM is back at it. They’re targeting forest reserves…again…this time outside of Williams, OR in the footprint of their unsuccessful Late Mungers timber sale. Click to learn more and take action!
The Rum Creek timber sale was planned in secret with no public commenting process at all. That makes it hard to make your voice heard. If you'd like to contact the BLM with your views about clearcutting and logging, take action today!
Rather it is the result of decades of fire exclusion that allowed conifers to overtake hardwood ecosystems combined with the climate change-induced heat domes and drought. All of which result in young fir stands being especially vulnerable to mortality. Now the BLM wants to log their way out of the problem. Let's make sure they get it right.
The U.S. Forest Service is working to update every national forest plan in the country to protect old growth, which could become one of the most meaningful safeguards for federal forests that we have seen in decades. The agency is currently seeking public input on how they’ll manage public forests for generations to come. This is a unique opportunity that we don’t want to miss.
Currently the 8,150-acre "Last Chance" timber sale calls for logging most of the remaining mature and old-growth forests in the foothills between Sunny Valley and Galesville. Take action now to help defend this essential forestland.
Five Areas of Critical Environmental Concern within the CSNM are at risk. Please take a moment to click and write to the BLM that these special places in Monument need to be recognized and protected!
Latest News
POV: You’re a western pond turtle! Follow a year in the life of a WPT—in all of its adventures and struggles!
The Medford Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) clearcuts speak for themselves—and it's not a pretty story. Following the Rum Creek fire just upslope of the Wild & Scenic Rogue River outside of Galice, OR, the BLM engaged in extensive post-fire roadside clearcutting. Watch videos from the field report here.
In his final days in office, President Biden has designated two new national monuments: the Sáttítla National Monument in northern California and the Chuckwalla National Monument in southern California.
The conservation community lost a beloved member with the passing of long-time activist Lou Gold on November 15, 2024.
Upcoming events
Join us outside!
KS Wild and Rogue Riverkeeper invite you to stop by during Ashland’s First Friday Art Walk and see the work of our latest artist while snacking and sipping with members and supporters in the community.
Join us for the 2025 Wild & Scenic Film Festival, which aims to bring the community together to celebrate our work in protecting the Klamath-Siskiyou wildlands and restoring clean water in the Rogue Basin through film and art.
Join our Conservation Director, George Sexton, on a five mile hike through towering old-growth forests along the Upper Rogue River in the High Cascades Ranger District. He will lead you through a beautifully in tact forested ecosystem close to the Upper Rogue River where the wildflowers will be blooming and the wildlife will be awakening.

New & Improved:
A Guide to Living Rurally
A ‘one stop shop’ for all the resources you need to acquaint yourself with the forests of the Siskiyou region and how to prepare your home for a wildfire.