Four Forest Restoration Initiative
Restoring our forests through collaborative landscape-scale initiatives
Four national forests - the Kaibab, Coconino, Apache-Sitgreaves and Tonto - are actively engaged in a collaborative, landscape-scale initiative designed to restore fire-adapted ecosystems in the Southwestern Region. Through ongoing collaboration with a diverse group of stakeholders, the four forests are working to plan and carry out landscape-scale restoration of the ponderosa pine forests in northern Arizona.
The overall goals of the Four Forest Restoration Initiative (4FRI) are to restore the structure, pattern, composition, and health of fire-adapted ponderosa pine ecosystems, reduce fuels and the risk of unnaturally severe wildfires, and provide for wildlife and plant diversity. Doing so involves a full suite of restoration projects that are carried out by Forest Service personnel, partners and volunteers, and contractors.
In addition to creating sustainable ecosystems, one of the key objectives is creating and developing sustainable industries. It is crucial to have appropriately-scaled businesses to harvest, process, and sell wood products. The restoration-based work opportunities are expected to create a variety of jobs across northern Arizona.
Features
Lockett Meadow Fuelwood Project

The Lockett Meadow project is an initiative to provide fuelwood from restoration projects to elderly and in need tribal members through partnerships and collaboration.
VIDEO: Long Valley Riparian Meadow Restoration Project

This video from Arizona Elk Society highlights the work of hundreds of volunteers on the Long Valley Riparian Meadow Restoration Project. Their efforts have helped to restore natural flows of this high elevation meadow on the Coconino National Forest.
Spotlights
Forest Restoration and You Brochure

This brochure, Forest Restoration and You, was developed by the 4FRI Stakeholders Group. Hard copies are available at Forest Service offices.
[Opens a 1.5mb pdf document]
4FRI Flickr Photostream

View and download 4FRI images on our Flickr site.
4FRI Monthly Updates

A series of tables showing the status of mechanical thinning contracts, fire, and NEPA projects across the four forests.
Yellow Belly Ponderosa

4FRI supports the outreach efforts of Yellow Belly Ponderosa, a theatrical production by kids and for kids that includes forest health and restoration themes.