Planting Trees in Oregon

Statewide Wildfire Restoration

The Bootleg Fire broke out in southern Oregon on July 6th, 2021. Before being fully contained on August 15th, it burned 413,765 acres of forest, making it the third-largest fire in the history of Oregon. The fire was devastating for the trees and wildlife of Klamath Falls Basin. The basin is a hub for biodiversity, serving as one of the state’s top nesting areas for bald eagles. Widescale reforestation plans are already in motion. For one landowner, that includes a plan to restore more than 70,000 acres of private forestland within the burn scar to its native state over the next several years. The return of this tree canopy will support a wide range of wildlife. Along with providing a home for birds, big game, and small mammals, this project will support one of the largest fish restoration projects in U.S. history. Four dams on the Klamath River are set to be removed in the coming years, opening up 420 miles of habitat for salmon, bull trout, and the endangered Lost River sucker fish. Trees planted in the basin will greatly improve the river’s water quality and help these species thrive well into the future.