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Reviving Oregon’s Forests: A Race Against Time

Medford, Oregon — In the scenic backdrop of Southern Oregon’s Fremont-Winema National Forest, efforts are intensifying to gather a vital resource: pine cones. This initiative is part of a larger strategy to combat the ecological challenges posed by increasingly severe wildfires.

“We’re on the lookout for the ripe cones at the uppermost branches of the trees,” explained Brian Kittler, the chief program officer for the Resilient Forests initiative at the American Forests nonprofit. The organization is teaming up with crews employing both lift operators and skilled climbers to effectively gather these crucial cones. This operation was featured in a recent CBS News report showcasing the team’s undertaking.

Kittler emphasized the broader importance of this effort, stating, “The continued loss of our forests directly impacts our clean air, clean water, and our capacity to absorb carbon, which is essential in tackling climate change.” A pressing concern is the rise of megafires in the western United States, fueled by climate change, which have ravaged over 33 million acres of land since 2020—an area roughly equivalent to Arkansas.

Inaction following wildfires triggers a detrimental cycle. With fewer trees surviving, the availability of pine cones decreases, complicating future planting efforts. This situation was notably observed in the Fremont-Winema National Forest, which was considerably impacted by the Barry Point Fire in 2012. “Post-fire, there are virtually no living trees left and natural regeneration is stalled,” Kittler noted.

Once the team successfully collects the pine cones, they transport them to affiliated nurseries where seeds are extracted and cultivated into seedlings. The target is to generate one million seedlings, which are projected to restore about 4,500 acres of forested land. However, Brian Reatini, a geneticist with the U.S. Forest Service, stressed that the current reforestation efforts fall short—specifically, they estimate a shortfall of 200,000 acres to be restored in one region of Oregon alone.

Moreover, the changing climate poses challenges for seedling growth, with the maturation period spanning approximately 20 years. “The environment has grown significantly drier and hotter. This trend tends to push trees to their limits of physiological endurance,” Reatini remarked. In response, the team is adapting by sourcing seeds from tree species known for their drought resilience.

The urgent need for reforestation has prompted collaborations with logging companies like Collins Pine, which are assisting the Forest Service in both the collection of pine cones and the clearing of charred landscapes. “Ecological factors such as fire, insects, and disease do not recognize property boundaries. If we succeed in replanting our designated plots while being encircled by untreated burned areas, those plots risk turning into a brush field, leading to further fires which may again threaten our lands,” stated Galen Smith, vice president of resources at Collins Pine.

This proactive approach underscores a community solidarity initiative, where neighboring entities support one another. The Forest Service is optimistic about expanding this model to other states impacted by similar challenges.

Reflecting on the future, Kittler expressed hope when observing the seedlings, envisioning “the forests that our children and grandchildren will explore.” This initiative not only restores the environment but also nurtures a legacy for future generations.

Source
www.cbsnews.com