Old-Growth Forests of the Pacific Northwest

A natural solution to climate change. A sanctuary for plants and wildlife.

What are old-growth forests?

The Klamath-Siskiyou region, in the southern portion of the Pacific Northwest (PNW), is home to spectacular old-growth forests. Old-growth forests throughout the PNW are composed of towering conifer trees such as Douglas Fir, that can live for hundreds of years. In an old forest, multilayered tree canopies allow sunlight to filter through to the forest floor supporting a diverse understory of shrubs. Fallen trees feed mushrooms, moss, lichen and provide safe havens for crawling critters. The build up of large, dead wood creates rich soils that provide nutrients for the entire forest ecosystem. These forests and trees haven’t been destroyed by logging and have grown for centuries, having developed an irreplaceable ecological role.

 

Learn more about KS Wild’s efforts to protect mature and old-growth forests. 

 

Why we love old-growth forests:

 

  • Healthy old-growth forests filter water to keep our streams, rivers and lakes clean, and provide millions of people with reliable drinking water. Older forests provide shade that keeps streams cool and oxygenated for Pacific salmon and trout.

  • Hundreds of rare wildlife species, including the marbled murrelet, Pacific fisher, and the northern spotted owl need old forests to survive. Some of our most beloved and iconic plant and animal species of the Pacific Northwest depend on old-growth forests.

  • Forested trails, campgrounds, and other recreation sites enable people to spend time in the natural world and enjoy outdoor recreation. Recreating in a degraded forest does not offer the same recreational experience as an intact healthy forest.

  • Old-growth trees have adapted to survive fire by armoring themselves with thick, fire-resistant bark. Compared to areas with heavy logging and second growth forests, protecting older forests is one of our best actions to ensure cool, clean water, limit landslides, and withstand the impacts of climate change.

  • The forests of the Pacific Northwest are globally significant for their ability to pull carbon out of the atmosphere and keep it safely stored for centuries.