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Near Colville, in the northeast corner of Washington state, Little Pend Oreille National Wildlife Refuge restores and protects the forests that helped build America. The 42,657-acre refuge ranges in elevation from 1,800 to 5,600 feet, supporting a wide variety of habitats --forests, rolling hills, open meadows, lakes, rivers and marshes. This mix of habitat types supports a wide variety of plants and animals, as well as healthy watersheds, clear streams, and clean water. Historically, the resources protected by the refuge have been important to local economies and helped drive growth in the region.
The only mountainous mixed-conifer forest refuge in the lower 48, Little Pend Oreille encompasses six distinct forest zones and features species such as Douglas fir, grand fir, ponderosa pine, western white pine, western red cedar, western hemlock, and subalpine fir. Fire has been an important part of the natural cycles in these refuge forests, but today they are burning hotter and faster than ever before. Invasive species like white pine blister rust and changes in forest management policy have contributed to the rise in these catastrophic wildfires. In some places, forest stands are too dense; and in others they need restoration through tree planting. The refuge uses weed management, tree and vegetation planting, and other science-based management tools to achieve conservation goals for forests and restore a more fire resilient ecosystem.
The buildup of ladder fuels鈥揻orest litter, brush and younger trees鈥揷auses wildfires to burn hotter, longer and faster. The more difficult and dangerous to combat fires can reach more mature trees and treetops and kills more trees. Prescribed fires can be used to mimic natural fires that once cleared old vegetation from the land helping native plants regenerate and local wildlife to thrive. Using carefully planned prescribed fire, the refuge can reduce ladder fuels to create more defensible forests. Restoring regular, smaller fires to the ecosystem helps make the forests less susceptible to catastrophic wildfire.
Commercial and non-commercial tree thinning can also reduce the amount of ladder fuels in some tree stands. Selectively targeting certain trees can reduce competition for sunlight and water and remove fuel that contributes to out-of-control wildfire. After thinning, leftover vegetation is gathered into piles and, after a year or more, burned by refuge fire personnel.
Strategic planning takes place each year to determine which treatment is appropriate for different tree stands. When commercial thinning is the best treatment for an area, the refuge will put that job out for bid in the local community. This win-win approach benefits taxpayers, contributes to America鈥檚 economy and supports the refuge鈥檚 conservation mission.
Each refuge is established for a special purpose and Little Pend Oreille was established to protect the places native wildlife and migratory birds need to rest and raise their young. Thousands of visitors enjoy the refuge each year鈥攃amping, fishing, hunting, hiking, and experiencing all its forests and habitats have to offer. Refuges like Little Pend Oreille generate billions of dollars in economic output and wages, as well as local, county, and state tax revenue, key contributions to the trillion-dollar outdoor recreation industry. The innovative, active management of the refuge protects the Northwest's historic landscapes, ensuring future generations can enjoy and benefit from America鈥檚 natural heritage.
