The Rogue Basin Action Plan for Resilient Watersheds and Forests in a Changing Climate

The Southern Oregon Forest Restoration Collaborative, in conjunction with several partners and under the guidance of Climate Solutions University, has put together a plan for resilient forests and watersheds in a changing climate. Climate changes are and will continue to affect our natural resources regardless of measures taken. Key climate impacts in the Rogue Basin include increase in severity and frequency of wildfires; decreased snowpack and earlier snowmelt affecting water quality and quantity for humans and wildlife; increase severity in droughts and flooding; higher elevation transition from snow to rain; increasing stream temperatures which are already a large issue in the Basin; and biogeographic shifts in species’ ranges. However these impacts can be mitigated, or even capitalized upon, if actions are taken now to prepare for the changes and increase local resiliency. Collaboration on forest restoration has been critically important in building shared understanding and community support for management to address current conditions, and promote forest health and resilience in southwest Oregon. On-the-ground projects including the Medford District Secretarial Pilot Project and Ashland Forest Resiliency Project have helped to advance stakeholder understanding and support. This plan is an opportunity to build upon partnerships and incorporate important climate adaptation measures into current and future planning efforts, strengthening the capacity of the community to respond to and prepare for climate change.