Integrating Wildlife Habitat and Wildfire Risk Reduction
Forests are some of the most iconic ecosystems of the West, known for their vastness, plentiful wildlife habitat, myriad recreational opportunities, critical ecosystem services, and, increasingly, their large and intense wildfires. A new body of work for the IWJV focuses on improving habitat for birds and other wildlife while reducing wildfire risk and supporting communities in forest ecosystems.
The IWJV is exploring opportunities to work in a variety of forest types in the Intermountain West. Our initial efforts are focused on dry frequent-fire forests and persistent pinyon-juniper woodlands. In dry frequent fire forests, evidence that active management can prepare forests for fire and improve ecological resilience—the ability of the an ecosystem to maintain its ecological functions when experiencing disturbance—to climate change after centuries of fire suppression is a strong impetus for focusing on these forests. Work in pinyon-juniper woodland ecosystems is a priority because of the steep decline of the charismatic pinyon-juniper obligate the Pinyon Jay (Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus), the vulnerability of this ecosystem to catastrophic wildfire and changing climate, and growing interest among our partners to work together to address the threats to this vast habitat.
IWJV’s vision of our work in western forests is to integrate wildfire risk reduction and bird habitat conservation, restore appropriate fire to the landscape, strengthen forest climate resilience, and prevent expansion of invasive weeds. These strategies leverage our IWJV approach–building partnerships, growing capacity, bridging science and implementation, and engaging in innovative communications efforts—towards this vision. Specifically, the IWJV’s work in western forests supports our partners in integrating current knowledge, science, and data on bird and wildlife effects of forest management into their work; growing capacity to implement forest management with co-benefits to birds and other wildlife; and communicating the outcomes and needs of this work to relevant audiences.
Explore IWJV’s Work in Western Forests
Work With Us In Western Forests
Please contact Adrian Leighton, Western Forest Conservation Coordinator (adrian.leighton@iwjv.org), to learn more about working with us.
iwjv@iwjv.org
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