A Forest Worth Protecting
Nestled within the remote reaches of the Kootenai National Forest, the Yaak Valley stands as a sanctuary of untamed beauty and ecological richness in the farthest northwest corner of Montana. Here, ancient old-growth forests—adorned with towering larch, spruce, cedar, and hemlock trees—thrive in a landscape untouched by time. These majestic groves—home to endangered grizzly bears and myriad other wildlife—serve as vital refuges of biodiversity and carbon sequestration.
However, the tranquility of this unique ecosystem is threatened by the proposed Black Ram timber sale, which would impact more than 95,000 acres, including nearly 4,000 acres of forest earmarked for clearcutting and other logging. If implemented, some 60 million board feet of timber would be removed from the forest. Led by the U.S. Forest Service, this project imperils the very heart of the Yaak Valley, jeopardizing centuries-old trees and critical habitat for wildlife such as the most endangered population of grizzly bears in North America. In the face of this looming threat, it is imperative that we act to protect the ancient forests of the Yaak Valley, preserving their ecological integrity and safeguarding their irreplaceable natural heritage for generations to come.
