Natural Resources
National forests offer tremendous opportunities to learn about science and nature through education, exploration, observation, and recreation. The most exciting way to learn about the forests is to be out there- seeing, hearing, feeling, smelling the world around you.
For the latest scientific updates from the region check the Pacific Northwest Research Station website.
Wildlife on the Forest
Mt. Hood National Forest is home to hundreds of mammals, birds, fish, insects, reptiles, and other species. The Forest works with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife (ODFW) to manage wildlife and potential impacts to wildlife.
- Respect wildlife - learn how you can help keep wildlife healthy and thriving.
- Learn more about the animals you can spot on the Forest at ODFW's website.
- Hunting and fishing seasons, limits, and regulations are managed by the state. Visit ODFW's hunting & fishing homepage here.
- Mt. Hood has been actively working to restore salmon habitat since the 1980s.
Watershed Restoration Action Plans
Watershed Restoration Action Plans (WRAPs) prioritize forest aquatic habitat and watershed restoration actions. In general, the forest is prioritizing restoration of watersheds supporting multiple threatened or endangered fish species. The WRAPs also identify needed restoration across an entire 6th field watershed (generally 15,000 to 25,000 acres in size).
Learn how we manage streams & watersheds
National Forest Atlas
The U.S. has a remarkable forest resource—more than 765 million acres of planted and natural forest land and an additional 58 million acres of woodlands. These lands provide clean water, clean air, wildlife and fish habitat, recreational opportunities, and for nearly four centuries have been the foundation for economic development. The Forest Atlas introduces the reader to a trove of information, also available online at the forest atlas website.
Changing Conditions
In the Pacific Northwest Region, we are already facing some effects from changing conditions and expect these impacts to intensify. The region is fortunate to have a series of robust vulnerability assessments and strong partnerships with research, helping national forests in Oregon & Washington create more resilient landscapes. Learn more about our adaptation partners, science-management partnerships focused on climate change adaptation in western United States.