 OLD GROWTH
is a stage of growth that is inherently more complex in structure, composition and function than younger forests. The components and processes of an old-growth forest need to be fully developed - not only for the old-growth to survive, but for the forest cycle to continue functioning. Old growth forests provide habitat for species such as woodland caribou, lynx, grizzly bear, and gray wolves.
 Needles, cones, branches, leaves, and innumerable insect bodies break down into litter, duff and humus. Microbes, rhizomes, fungi, molds, lichen, and nematodes break down the nutrients, enabling tree roots to absorb the molecules needed to reach old age. These layers and sub layers, only inches deep, protect the soil by absorbing and filtering rain and snow. Canopy cover and soil stability keeps streams flowing cool and clean for fish and ensures stream flow in hot summer months. Long living trees sustain lichen growth for ungulate (caribou, deer, moose) winter feed. Large downed snags provide nurse logs for new and growing trees, retain moisture in summer months, and serve as shelter for dozens of species.
The Lands Council OLD GROWTH FOREST CAMPAIGN
Each summer, the Forest Watch Program organizes teams of volunteers to collect field data in old growth areas in Idaho. This effort improves the old growth data base and inventory maps to ensure that the Forest Service (FS) comply with the Idaho Panhandle National Forest (IPNF) Plan which requires the FS to maintain ten percent of the forest inventory in old-growth.
When the FS in 2003 claimed that twelve percent of the IPNF was old-growth, The Lands Council was concerned that the figure was actually less than ten percent. Using the FS' own data and criteria, teams of volunteers worked under the direction of an experienced forest pathologist, Dr. Arthur Partridge, and spent months inventorying the FS's old-growth stands. The Lands Council recognized that the FS's database is missing information on more than one quarter of the stands the FS claims as old-growth. The findings are supported by a court case won by TLC in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals (The Lands Council vs. Powell) in which the court found that the IPNF timber data base inventory is outdated, inaccurate and is not a reliable indicator of old-growth habitat. The Lands Council Campaign continues this effort to document, report, and protect these forested ecosystems that provide us with clean air and water, beautiful scenery and essential wildlife habitat. View the Lands Council report: Lost Forests: An Investigative Report on the Old-growth of North Idaho
Interested in getting involved with protecting North Idaho Old Growth? Volunteer for our Old Growth Campaign field work or interview for the Old Growth Campaign Coordinator Internship and contact Tania Ellersick at tellersick@landscouncil.org.
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