Logging plans for some Eastern Oregon forests may now prioritize wildlife
Some loggers headed in to cut down trees in the Blue Mountains may soon be prioritizing habitat over board feet. That’s because Blue Mountains Forest Partners, a group of stakeholders including loggers, environmentalists, ranchers, landowners, timber industry representatives, elected officials and federal land managers, has just finalized a new draft of what’s called a wildlife habitat zone of agreement. The plan takes a wildlife-centric perspective to forest management, trying to address habitat needs of species when considering which trees to cut. Mark Webb, the executive director of Blue Mountains Forest Partners, takes us on a tour of forest lands that have been managed with woodpeckers in mind.
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