Active Forest Management on the Monongahela: Caring for Forests, Wildlife, and Communities

The Monongahela National Forest is valued for its mountain streams, expansive views, ecological diversity and exceptional recreation opportunities. But beneath that familiar landscape is a living, changing forest—one that requires active care to remain healthy, diverse, and resilient for future generations.

Forest management on the Monongahela is rooted in science and guided by long-term stewardship goals outlined in the Forest’s Land and Resource Management Plan. While timber harvest is one visible outcome of that work, the harvest itself is not the sole purpose. Instead, it is one of several tools used to improve forest health, support wildlife habitat, and sustain rural communities across West Virginia.

Managing Forest Health in a Changing Landscape

Image

Much of the Monongahela’s forest is even aged and structurally simple when compared to a natural, diverse forest. During the industrial logging era of the early 1900’s large swaths of forests were unsustainably removed. Followed by decades of fire suppression, the forests that exist today are considerably different from the past. For example, the oak-hickory dominated forests on the Monongahela were more open with large, widely spaced trees and a rich, sunlit herbaceous ground layer, as opposed to the dense, closed-canopy forests common today. Today, land managers on the Monongahela use a variety of tools, including timber harvest and prescribed fire, to improve forest health and structure. Active management, including timber harvesting can make forests less vulnerable to insects, disease, and other environmental stressors.

“Our goal isn’t to cut trees for the sake of cutting trees,” said Linda Burke, forest silviculturist for the Monongahela National Forest. “It’s to intentionally shape forest conditions, so they stay healthy over time. When we make the decision to cut a tree, we do it to meet multiple objectives; forest health and diversity, wildlife habitat creation, ecosystem restoration, supporting local communities. We are thinking of long-term sustainability for future generations.”   

Carefully planned timber harvests, along with prescribed fire and other treatments, are designed to mimic natural disturbance processes that historically shaped Appalachian forests. These actions help restore forest diversity, promote regeneration of key species such as oak, and improve overall resilience to changing environmental conditions.

Creating Habitat for Wildlife

Image

Healthy forests are not uniform. Many wildlife species depend on a mix of young, middle-aged, and mature forest conditions—habitat diversity that does not develop on its own in the absence of disturbance.

“Some of our greatest wildlife challenges today are tied to the loss of young forest habitat,” said Shane Jones, district ranger on the Greenbrier Ranger District. “Species that rely on young forest habitat or late successional habitat simply don’t have enough of the conditions they need. Active management helps restore that balance.”

By creating a mosaic of forest conditions across the landscape, forest management supports a broader range of wildlife while maintaining large blocks of mature forest. Projects are designed to protect water quality, retain important habitat features, and minimize impacts to sensitive species.

Supporting Rural Economies

Forest management on the Monongahela also plays a critical role in sustaining local economies. Timber sales provide raw material to regional mills, support logging and trucking jobs, and contribute to forest-based industries that remain vital in many rural communities.

“When we manage forests responsibly, using the most proven and current management practices, we’re investing in both ecological and economic sustainability, ensuring the health of those forest ecosystems” Burke said. “The wood products that come from the forest are renewable, locally sourced, and part of a working landscape that benefits communities while achieving conservation goals.”

Revenue from timber sales is reinvested into forest stewardship, including road maintenance, watershed restoration, and reforestation efforts—creating a cycle that supports both the land and the people who depend on it.

From National Direction to Local Action

In recent years, the Forest Service has emphasized the importance of active forest management nationwide. In spring 2025, President Trump signed Executive Order 14225, Immediate Expansion of American Timber Production, directing federal agencies to expand timber production and modernize forest management to support national well-being. Shortly thereafter, the Forest Service released its National Active Forest Management Strategy, providing a framework for implementing that direction.

On the Monongahela, this national guidance is being implemented alongside the Forest Plan. The Forest is taking both short- and long-term steps to expand the use of timber harvests as restoration and management tools while maintaining strong environmental safeguards.

In the near term, the Forest is focused on improving efficiency and expanding opportunities for active management. This includes working closely with state agencies and partners, training staff on new technologies, and using streamlined environmental review authorities where appropriate.

For example, the Forest is identifying non-native pine plantations that are ready for harvest and restoration treatments—projects that improve forest conditions and return the forest to a natural trajectory, all while producing wood products. Managers are also exploring modern approaches such as tethered logging systems to safely and responsibly operate on steeper terrain.

Greater emphasis is being placed on early field reviews and project planning, including consideration of access needs such as skid trails and log landings. This approach reduces uncertainty for purchasers and improves project implementation on the ground.

Looking ahead, the Monongahela is investing in large-scale planning efforts designed to provide flexibility and consistency over time. These efforts help the Forest respond to changing market conditions while continuing to meet ecological objectives across the landscape.

The Forest is also exploring ways to safely manage forests on more challenging terrain using modern equipment and techniques. Input from industry partners has helped shape project designs that encourage innovation while remaining consistent with the Forest Plan.

A Diverse and Transparent Timber Program 

The Monongahela offers a diverse timber program that reflects the variety of forest conditions across the landscape. While most sales involve hardwood species, the Forest also manages conifer plantations and, in some cases, uses specialized methods such as helicopter logging where ground-based equipment is not suitable.

Over the past five years, the Forest has increased both the volume of timber harvested and the number of acres treated, reflecting a growing and more responsive program. Timber sale schedules are updated regularly and shared publicly to provide transparency and predictability for partners and communities.

A Shared Commitment to Stewardship

Every forest management project on the Monongahela undergoes environmental analysis. Input from communities, partners, and stakeholders helps shape decisions and ensures accountability.

Timber harvests are not the end goal—they are one part of a long-term strategy to care for a dynamic forest system. “The Monongahela isn’t static, if we want healthy forests, clean water, thriving wildlife, and strong communities in the future, active management must be part of the solution,” said Jones. 

Through science-based forest management and collaboration, the Monongahela National Forest continues to balance conservation and use—ensuring the forest remains resilient, productive, and valued for generations to come.