History

The 23,000 acre Fraser Experimental Forest was established in 1937 as a representative site for conducting studies in the alpine/subalpine environment of the central Rockies. Most early research was oriented toward timber or water production resulting from forest management. For this research, many long-term study plots were established in both lodgepole pine and Engelmann spruce, and 7 watersheds were monitored for streamflow, climate and snow. Some of the records now exceed 60 years in length. Research on forest/ wildlife interactions began in the 1950's. Biogeochemical studies began in the 1960's, were restarted in the 70's, and have been continuous since 1982. Much of this work is done in cooperation with the National Park Service.