HOPES for Endangered Species
The Sierra Nevada Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes necator) is one of the most endangered animals on the planet, with a population of under 100. Their plight attracted the attention of two fifth-grade students at Glenwood Elementary School in Lake Stevens, Washington who wanted to make a difference. Teagan Barnum and Madeleine Brock (pictured here) co-founded the H.O.P.E.S Endangered Species Club (Helping Others Protect Endangered Species) to raise money and awareness to help save habitat for endangered species. They did a school fund drive and raised $186.75 for PFT’s work to save habitat for the Sierra Nevada Red Fox, amongst many others. “We started our club to help the animals out there that need our help. If we do not act now, animals that we love will be history,” they wrote PFT. “We are aware that we are young, but we know that with hard work we can make a difference. Our goal is to prevent extinction of animals that need to be helped.”
A montane fox living at higher elevations, hunting and habitat loss have drastically reduced the fox’s population. And now, climate change is further threatening it, with warmer temperatures driving them farther up mountain slopes. PFT’s work to conserve forests in the Klamath Cascade region of the northern Sierra, southern Cascades, and around Mt. Shasta is protecting critical habitat for the fox. Butte Creek Meadows, Valley View Angus Ranch, and McCloud Dogwood Butte are three of our Conservation Easements that directly benefit the Sierra Nevada Red Fox. Our new project, on over 9,125 acres on the side of Mt. Shasta, is another such effort (see below).
Said Teagan and Madeleine, “We have donated to your organization because of your love for animals and contributions to society.” While the Sierran Red Fox faces daunting odds for survival, with young leaders like Teagan and Madeleine on their side, they have a fighting chance! PFT is so grateful for their support.
Join them in ensuring we can continue our vital work to protect the Red Fox and conserve well managed forests!
Oregon Acts to Protect Forests for Outdoor Recreation and Climate
Forest have multiple benefits, from helping the climate to providing us with inspiration and recreation. Last year, Oregon’s Representative Ken Helm and Senator Michael Dembrow – PFT’s 2019 “Outside-the-Box” awardees – led the establishment of the Oregon Conservation and Recreation Fund (OCRF) through HB 2829. Its goal is to protect Oregon’s lands, waters, and wildlife for future generations to enjoy as we do today. The fund set aside public monies to be matched by private donations to support conservation, expand recreation opportunities, and improve access to the outdoors for underserved communities in Oregon. This year, the legislature appropriated $1,000,000 for the fund, but this must be matched by another $1,000,000 in private donations. The OCRF Advisory Committee has been working diligently to develop a broad fundraising and public awareness campaign in order to raise the $1,000,000 in matching funds by July 2021. PFT is part of a broad coalition helping advance the OCRF because the need to connect with nature, and provide equal access, is greater now more than ever. Learn more about this coalition, see how PFT’s work relates to OCRF and how you can help.
In addition to their recreational benefits, forests are essential climate solutions. Oregon’s forests have enormous potential to store vastly more carbon than they do now, both in the forest and in products: it needs policies and practices commensurate with that potential. In her Executive Order, Oregon Governor Kate Brown asked the Oregon Global Warming Commission (OGWC) to help set goals for carbon sequestration through natural and working lands. Pacific Forest Trust highlighted three main actions for the OGWC:
• Enhance carbon sequestration by promoting healthy, resilient forests, managing for more natural forest structure, species composition and complexity, especially having larger and older trees. These forests are more resilient to climate change and sequester more carbon in the forest, as well as in products.
• Maintain the forest land base through improved land use planning and land conservation, preventing fragmentation, degradation and conversion. Working Forest Conservation Easements that keep forests as forests are a key incentive achieving that.
• Complement the state’s 100-Year Water Vision and coordinate climate improvements through the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB). These efforts are synergistic.
Learn more about our work with the OWGC to protect Oregon’s forests for a safer climate future.
In that same EO, Governor Brown tasked state agencies with taking actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. When the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) released its report on this last month, it was clear that their proposal did not respond to the request, or meaningfully address climate change. PFT and a broad coalition of conservation groups called on ODF to develop a stronger report that includes a process for forest carbon accounting, proposes concrete goals to enhance carbon storage in forests, and establishes a diverse rulemaking advisory committee including tribes and other impacted communities. The Governor’s office responded by urging ODF to specify goals and systems for tracking and reporting outcomes, articulate incentives for climate-smart forestry practices, and develop a Climate Change Plan that responds to the goals outlined in the EO. PFT applauds the Governor and her Administration for this action and stands ready to work with ODF to help meet the challenge.
Saving Headwaters and Habitats
PFT is launching a major new project – the Mt. Shasta Timberlands project – that demonstrates how conservation easements sustain natural forest management and restore habitats for multiple endangered species (including the Sierra Nevada Red Fox) at landscape scale. This project will establish a 9,125-acre conservation easement on the flanks of Mt. Shasta, California, working in partnership with TC&I Shasta, LLC, the landowner, and its forest manager, Campbell Global, LLC. This keystone property straddles the crest that divides the Sacramento and Klamath River basins and protects the source headwaters of these mighty rivers. The property encompasses the high ridges along the northeastern flank of Mount Shasta, and its meadows and springs feed clean, cold water into these essential watersheds.
The Mt. Shasta Timberlands project will maintain the property as working forest and secure lasting connections with millions of acres of the adjacent Shasta and Klamath National Forests. It is a rare opportunity to create a vast, integrated, conserved expanse while actively managing for climate resiliency, critical wildlife habitats, increased carbon stores, reduced risks of wildfire and water security for fish, farms and people. And, it will do so while supporting timber and mill jobs in an economically disadvantaged county.
Maintaining this spectacular property in private hands and on the tax rolls, this conservation easement will guide management to protect public trust resources at a fraction of the cost of public ownership. It also ensures continued private investment in the property’s long-term stewardship. The Mt. Shasta Timberlands project is an exemplary partnership that promises integrated solutions to environmental challenges at landscape scale.