Dripping coastal forests of giant Douglas-firs, high desert groves of massive ponderosa pines, and lush mixed conifer forests surrounding jagged Cascade peaks--Oregon's ancient forests are one of the region's most precious treasures, providing not only vital habitat for fish and wildlife but also some of the most amazing hiking experiences in the state. Author Chandra LeGue of Oregon Wild wants you to know and love these incredible places and guides you to them with 91 awe-inspiring hikes that reveal the very soul of Oregon.
This comprehensive guide explains what makes ancient forests so unique as well as what types exist in Oregon, where they are, who manages them, why so few still survive, and what threats they continue to face. Covering natural history, human history, flora, and fauna, Oregon's Ancient Forests offers a depth of information that will help you understand these complex ecosystems and their extraordinary value. Devote your next day outdoors to exploring some of these wonders, and get inspired to find out what you can do to protect them!
Features include:
- Full-color maps and photos
- Trailhead GPS coordinates and driving directions
- Trail distance, elevation gain, difficulty rating, and best season to visit
- Type and protection status of each forest
- At-a-glance guide for easy hike selection
- Details on permits and fees
Contributor Bio:Oregon Wild
Founded in 1974, Oregon Wild is the state's oldest and largest group dedicated to conserving Oregon's public lands and the wildlife that calls them home. Across five decades it has worked to secure protections for 1.7 million acres of Wilderness areas and nearly 1,800 miles of Wild and Scenic Rivers. It is the region's leading voice for the protection and restoration of dwindling ancient forests in the Pacific Northwest region, of Oregon's fragile population of gray wolves, and of the wetlands of the Klamath Basin. Protecting ancient forests is a key part of Oregon Wild's history and future. Starting in the late 1970s, it helped nationalize the ancient forest issue and raised public awareness about the value of old-growth forests. Since then it has advanced protection for millions of acres of old-growth habitat through wilderness legislation, the Northwest Forest Plan, and the "eastside screens." And it has supported campaigns to secure permanent protection of mature and old-growth forests in the Northwest through federal legislation. Oregon Wild continues to devote significant resources to advocate for the protection and restoration of Oregon's last remaining old-growth forests.
