Rogue Basin Cohesive Forest Restoration Strategy
The Rogue Basin Cohesive Forest Restoration Strategy (sometimes referred to as “the Strategy”) is based on the understanding that the forests of the Rogue Basin in Southwest Oregon have innate social, economic, and ecological value – providing diverse wildlife habitat, underpinning the carbon and water cycles, and providing human communities with clean water, recreation, and other benefits and services.
The Rogue Basin Strategy analysis area covered 4.6 million-ac across many ownerships and land allocations. It prioritizes the protection of complex forests, optimizes wildfire risk mitigation, promotes diverse and enduring habitats, and supports a predictable supply of ecosystem services like clean drinking water.
With full implementation, the Rogue Basin Strategy is expected to reduce overall wildfire risk by 70% and risk to homes by 50% relative to business as usual.
The Rogue Basin Strategy provides data, tools, and approaches to integrate wildfire risk reduction with endangered species recovery and climate adaptation.
The Strategy is a targeted approach that respects ecological values while restoring forest resilience. It reduces forest density and lowers wildfire risks to communities and old-growth habitats. And it benefits rural economies, as timber thinning creates jobs in the woods and revenue for local mills.