This project will remove Douglas-fir and non-native tree species to restore oak woodland on 30 acres of a 278.5-acre property owned by the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs of Oregon that is permanently protected under a conservation easement held by the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) as part of ODFW’s Willamette Wildlife Mitigation Program (WWMP).

This oak woodland restoration project addresses the recommendation of reducing wildfire risk in forestlands. Removal of encroaching Douglas-fir and non-native shrubs and trees from oak woodlands will result in a short-term reduction in carbon storage, but fuels reduction treatments can result in long-term climate benefits by fostering resilience, paying off the “carbon debt”, and reducing the risk of uncharacteristic wildfire. The following treatments will all be used in implementing the Forest Management Plan for Red Hills:

• Thinning to stocking levels more resilient to fire and drought
• Removal of trees killed or damaged by insects and diseases
• Mechanical understory removal
• Prescribed fire