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National Geographic
23-06-2025
- National Geographic
Alaska's untamed wilderness is about to get more accessible
Overnighting in Alaska's wilderness is about to get easier. The Alaska Cabins Project, a joint initiative from the Forest Service and the National Forest Foundation, will bring 25 new, easily reachable abodes to the untamed Tongass and Chugach national forests by 2027. Several have already opened—or will open—this year. The project marks a milestone for the state. 'This is the largest expansion of public use cabins on Alaska's national forests in 50 years,' says Patrick Shannon, the NFF's Pacific Northwest and Alaska director. And it comes from growing demand. America's national forests experienced an uptick in tourism post-pandemic, too. Rising visitation has made it tougher than ever to reserve the roughly 150 cabins across the Tongass and Chugach forests, two enormous and wild landscapes with old-growth woodlands, glaciers, intricate cave systems, and eye-popping wildlife, from fishing bears to bald eagles. (The essential guide to visiting Alaska) Anan Wildlife Observatory is a popular viewpoint to watch brown and black bears fish for salmon. Photograph by Acacia Johnson, Nat Geo Image Collection Bringing 'soft adventure' to Alaska's wilderness The Alaskan backcountry allures intrepid travelers with remote camping and pristine nature, yet Shannon says travelers increasingly crave more cabins within easy reach. The Alaska Cabins Project's new builds will be accessed via either a short walk or a several-mile hike, giving families and soft-adventure-seekers a chance to enjoy the state's intimidating wilderness in a safer way. 'I think people sometimes underestimate the nature here,' says Alaina Brown, owner of adventure outfitter Tongass Treks, who grew up frequenting the cabins for everything from birthday parties to holiday gatherings. The forests have high bear concentrations, Brown says, including black bears and grizzlies, not to mention limited cell service and unpredictable weather. Elevated boardwalks allow for wildlife viewing at Fish Creek Wildlife Observation Site. Photograph by Sébastien Lecocq, Alamy History-steeped accommodations The two-dozen new accommodations will build upon Alaska's long history of cabins. The Forest Service first constructed these public dwellings in the 1930s, and they've been a staple ever since. '[The cabins] were developed early on as a way to help people get outdoors for hunting, fishing, and recreation,' says Shannon. 'They really took off in the '50s and '60s when recreation became a big thing.' While upscale glamping getaways are popping up in and around public lands throughout the country, these largely cedar digs aren't about frills and pampering—and that's part of the allure. 'A lot of the old cabins are trapper-style cabins,' says Shannon. Guests bring their own sleeping bags and pads to sleep on wooden bunk beds. Many of the spartan outposts do have wood stoves for heat and ample indoor and outdoor seating, but overnighters should pack their own utensils, cooking stoves, food, and, depending on the location, water. Most accommodations will offer sleeping room for at least eight people. Nearly all cabins will be situated along the Alaska road system; some are also wheelchair accessible. 'They're ABA compliant when they're able to be,' says Shannon, noting compliance largely depends on the cabin location and surrounding topography. Depending on funding, the Alaska Cabins Project could expand beyond the initial 25 builds—but for now, here's a peek at the first four dwellings that either have opened, or will soon open, in the Chugach and Tongass woodlands. Trail River Cabin: Chugach National Forest The exterior of the Trail River cabin in Chugach National Forest. Photograph by Victoria Granado via USDA Forest Service The two-story cabin can accommodate up to seven people. Photograph by Victoria Granado via USDA Forest Service (Top) (Left) and Photograph by Victoria Granado via USDA Forest Service (Bottom) (Right) Set lakeside among a patchwork of hemlocks and spruces, Trail River Cabin, which is now open, is accessible in the summer via a brief walk from a parking lot and in the winter by way of a 1.2-mile ski or snowshoe jaunt. It's set in Chugach National Forest's Trail River Campground near Moose Pass, a small town rich in Gold Rush history, as well as glacier-sourced waterways for paddling and wildflower meadows crisscrossed by hiking trails. The recreation opportunities abound from camp as well, including trout fishing on the nearby Kenai Lake and forested hiking trails that commence with one mile of the cabin. The two-story abode offers bunk space for up to seven people, with a vault toilet in the adjacent campground. During the summer, potable water is available for guests; overnighters must bring their own in the off season. (Visiting Alaska? Here's what locals love) Anan Bay Cabin: Tongass National Forest No outdoor fires are allowed at Anan Bay Cabin, given its secluded location. Photograph via USDA Forest Service (Top) (Left) and Photograph via USDA Forest Service (Bottom) (Right) Anan Bay Cabin, which opened in 2024, gives travelers a taste of Alaska's remote backcountry. The water-view getaway, accessible either by float plane or boat from the town of Wrangell, is among the Tongass' best safari spots. It's a one-mile hike from Anan Wildlife Observatory, a popular viewpoint to watch brown and black bears fish for salmon. Observatory permits are required during the peak July and August months, but up to four permits are available to cabin guests for each rental night. Given its seclusion, Anan Bay Cabin does require a bit of preparation and planning. Visitors should bring their own water supply, or be prepared to treat water from natural sources, including a nearby creek. No outdoor fires are allowed, but guests can pack a cooking stove—and don't forget a flashlight for night visits to the outhouse toilet. Porcupine Campground Cabin: Chugach National Forest This fall, the two-story Porcupine Campground Cabin—one of the largest shelters in the Chugach—will treat forest overnighters with a spacious porch, wood stove, and outdoor fire pit. The birch-shaded accommodation, which is located around a half-mile from the parking lot in Porcupine Campground, offers a wheelchair ramp to the front door. It lies on the southern coast of the Turnagain Arm waterway, which separates the Kenai Peninsula and mainland Alaska. The cabin is within a stone's throw of scenic hiking routes like the Hope Point Trail, a two-mile climb up 3,600 feet with sweeping views across the Cook Inlet toward Anchorage. The town of Hope, a hot spot for salmon fishing, cycling, and local dining, is a one-mile drive from camp, too. El Capitan Cabin: Tongass National Forest El Capitan Cabin on Prince of Wales Island. Photograph courtesy USDA Forest Service (Top) (Left) and Photograph courtesy USDA Forest Service (Bottom) (Right) Tongass' El Capitan Cabin will also welcome travelers to the spruce- and hemlock-dotted Prince of Wales Island beginning this fall. Its location—America's third-largest island—is accessed by flight from Ketchikan, Juneau, and Sitka, or via three-hour ferry from Ketchikan. Rental cars are the best option for exploring this island; it's a three-hour drive to El Capitan Cabin from the island's main transit hub, Hollis. The cabin sits near its namesake El Capitan Cave, the longest-mapped cave in Alaska. Free guided daily tours lead visitors into the two-mile karst wonderland, where animal kingdom wonders, like 12,000-year-old brown-bear bones, have been discovered. Other adventures on Prince of Wales Island include hiking, birding, and wildlife-spotting—all staples on any visit to South-central Alaska's biodiverse Inside Passage. (Avoid crowds at the 10 least-visited U.S. national parks) Stephanie Vermillion is a Cleveland-based travel writer who covers outdoor adventure, astrotourism, and conservation for National Geographic, Outside Magazine, and the World Wildlife Fund's World Wildlife magazine. She's also the author of National Geographic's 100 Nights of a Lifetime: The World's Ultimate Adventures After Dark, which was published in December 2024.
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
In Arizona's high country, restoring forest health is a group effort
PAYSON, AZ — Interagency collaboration is vital in environmental conservation efforts, and the partnership between Salt River Project, the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management, the National Forest Foundation and the Arizona Game and Fish Department is no different. These organizations and agencies have partnered to further their individual efforts of wildfire mitigation and forest conservation. The agencies, led by SRP, presented a tour group from the Society of Environmental Journalists with an array of visual examples of their processes in the forests surrounding Payson on April 24. The agencies have partnered with the goal of fostering growth and rehabilitation in northern Arizona's forests and reducing the chances of major wildfires. The interagency collaboration is called the Four Forest Restoration Initiative, established in 2010, which aims to restore and manage forest areas at high risk. These areas include the Kaibab, Apache-Sitgreaves, Coconino and Tonto forests. Elvy Barton, SRP's senior manager for water and forest sustainability, led the tour. She explained the intricate relationship between the agencies, but also emphasized the delicacy of the relationship between humans and the forests in northern Arizona. The function and existence of prescribed burns, or human-initiated controlled fires, demonstrate how intentional human collaboration can help intentional forest growth. 'Relationships (are) what gets the stuff done,' Barton said. The collaboration between SRP and the other governmental agencies allows for a multiplicative effect on the power and impact of the individual work of each agency, according to Barton. Thomas Torres, state forester at the Department of Forestry and Fire Management, said the Good Neighbor Authority was established nationally and implemented in Arizona to protect and restore the Tonto and Kaibab national forests in the northern region of the state. '(The authority) has allowed Arizona to become the producer of nearly a quarter of the U.S. timber production,' Torres said. Torres said without these partnerships to preserve and rehabilitate the forest lands in northern Arizona, metro Phoenix would feel detrimental effects. 'A lot of the logging here goes down to Phoenix,' he said. 'The goal is to build a healthier forest, for all of Arizona.' Trevor Seck, Arizona forestry program supervisor for the National Forest Foundation, said the foundation is an official partner of the U.S. Forest Service and this specific partnership 'bring(s) people together to restore and maintain the forest(s).' For the final stop of the tour, Barton led the group to a lookout point on the Mogollon Rim. She said it showed an example of the culmination of the interagency partnerships and conservation efforts made by SRP. She left the tour group with a striking image: One section of the forest in the Mogollon Rim was densely populated with thin, column-like trees, and across a narrow road, a clearing with a few trees sprinkled throughout. The dense section seemed crowded and unruly. The other, intentionally cleared and conserved. Barton explained that the dense section of the forest is an example of nature left to its own devices, and the clearing across the road is SRP's involvement in the process. The area was also the site of a lightning-caused fire in September 2024, which was managed to help with forest health. 'Nature was allowed to play its role (here),' Barton said. Taking steps: In high-risk Pine Lake, Arizona is investing millions to keep wildfires at a distance Bella Mazzilli is a reporter at State News Magazine at Arizona State University and is part of a student newsroom led by The Arizona Republic. Coverage of the Society of Environmental Journalists conference is supported by Arizona State University's Cronkite School of Journalism, the University of Arizona and the Arizona Media Association. These stories are published open-source for other news outlets and organizations to share and republish, with credit and links to This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Forest restoration projects work when everyone cooperates, experts say
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Arbor Day: How Los Angeles is replanting trees after devastating wildfires
As a procession of construction trucks drives through the blackened streets of Los Angeles County's Altadena neighborhood, the first signs of natural regrowth can be seen in sidewalk planters. The Eaton Fire, which erupted on Jan. 7, burned over 14,000 acres, killed at least 18 people and destroyed over 9,400 buildings -- becoming the fifth deadliest and the second most destructive wildfire in California history. Nearly four months after the blaze, just as contractors begin working to rebuild homes and businesses, arborists, city planners and local organizations are preparing to restore the natural landscape as well. From the emotional toll of losing almost everything to the financial burden of starting over, ABC News is chronicling the journeys of a few affected Los Angeles residents over the next several months as they try to rebuild from the ashes of the Los Angeles fires. Altadena resident and nonprofit founder Claire Robinson has dedicated her life to making Los Angeles County more beautiful. For 22 years, Robinson and her organization, Amigos de los Rios, have advocated for more urban parks, turning schools into designated green spaces and working with community leaders to create living infrastructure. MORE: LA fires aftermath: How people are rebuilding after losing almost everything But in the wake of the Eaton Fire, Robinson not only lost her family home and organization's office, but also "100 lifetimes" of her work. "You feel pretty humbled working every day to try to green our cities, and then finding this amount of devastation in such a short period. ... It's daunting," Robinson told ABC News. Official tree surveying is ongoing, but Robinson said roughly half of Altadena's tree canopy appeared to be affected in the wildfire, though she's confident some of the centuries-old trees will spring back from the external char. Interestingly, many of Altadena's towering deodar cedar trees not only survived the fire, but in some cases protected homes from the wind-whipped embers, according to Robinson. These fast-growing evergreen conifer trees are native to the Himalayas and Afghanistan but can be seen in abundance on Altadena's beloved Christmas Tree Lane and throughout the neighborhood. Deodar cedars and other tree species, including oaks, pines and palm trees, proved more likely to survive the wildfires because of natural adaptations: thick bark, high moisture content, height and deep root systems allowed them to endure over other vegetation, according to the National Forest Foundation. Alternatively, many non-native tree species such as eucalyptus -- especially the invasive Tasmanian blue gum -- are known for their high oil content, making them highly flammable, according to the organization. Other common fire-prone trees include cypress, firs, junipers and spruces, according to the National Forest Foundation. Aerial photos taken in the wake of the Eaton Fire prove this to be true -- some plants and trees are fire-resistant, while others are fire-prone. Local leaders have the opportunity to use this information when replanting after the fire, according to Robinson. "Arborists are scouring right now to read the post-fire landscape and see which of those species, like the coast live oaks or the sycamores, really held their ground, and how we should extract knowledge from the vegetation's relationship to structures and rethink how we want to rebuild from the direct empirical experience of the fire," Robinson said. Dan Lambe, the chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation, told ABC News this year's holiday is especially important in the wake of the wildfires and other recent climate disasters. "There's never been a more important time for trees, and on this Arbor Day in 2025 we're reminded of that as we look at the fires throughout Southern California, the hurricanes throughout North Carolina and Florida and the increasing frequency and severity of storms that are downing and destroying critical tree canopy," Lambe said. MORE: Arbor Day 2024: How to plant the best tree to combat climate change Planting trees in honor of Arbor Day dates back to 1872, and while climate and landscape factors have changed since the holiday's inception, the motivation remains crucial. "This Arbor Day is a great chance to celebrate the value of trees and help restore and bring hope and healing back through planting," Lambe said. "As we work with communities to help with disaster recovery, we work with them to make sure we are planting the right trees in the right place, mostly planting native trees so that they survive and thrive for years and years to come," he added. Despite the personal and professional losses, Robinson and her Amigos de los Rios team have begun to plant "seeds of hope" in Altadena's civic spaces. Altadena's Triangle Park, a small green plaza marked by the local sheriff's station, a transit bus stop and a church, saw the first replanting and signs of vitality after the Eaton Fire. "It's amazing the power of nature, just the little work we did in front of the sheriff's station, replanting 90 native plants, and they are taking hold," Robinson said. "It's spring, right? It's the most powerful time of the year for rebirth. So we are very confident that nature is going to surprise us in just as magical a way as we were horrified the night of the fires," she added. Arbor Day: How Los Angeles is replanting trees after devastating wildfires originally appeared on
25-04-2025
- General
Arbor Day: How Los Angeles is replanting trees after devastating wildfires
As a procession of construction trucks drives through the blackened streets of Los Angeles County's Altadena neighborhood, the first signs of natural regrowth can be seen in sidewalk planters. The Eaton Fire, which erupted on Jan. 7, burned over 14,000 acres, killed at least 18 people and destroyed over 9,400 buildings -- becoming the fifth deadliest and the second most destructive wildfire in California history. Nearly four months after the blaze, just as contractors begin working to rebuild homes and businesses, arborists, city planners and local organizations are preparing to restore the natural landscape as well. From the emotional toll of losing almost everything to the financial burden of starting over, ABC News is chronicling the journeys of a few affected Los Angeles residents over the next several months as they try to rebuild from the ashes of the Los Angeles fires. Altadena resident and nonprofit founder Claire Robinson has dedicated her life to making Los Angeles County more beautiful. For 22 years, Robinson and her organization, Amigos de los Rios, have advocated for more urban parks, turning schools into designated green spaces and working with community leaders to create living infrastructure. But in the wake of the Eaton Fire, Robinson not only lost her family home and organization's office, but also "100 lifetimes" of her work. "You feel pretty humbled working every day to try to green our cities, and then finding this amount of devastation in such a short period. ... It's daunting," Robinson told ABC News. What trees survived the fires? Official tree surveying is ongoing, but Robinson said roughly half of Altadena's tree canopy appeared to be affected in the wildfire, though she's confident some of the centuries-old trees will spring back from the external char. Interestingly, many of Altadena's towering deodar cedar trees not only survived the fire, but in some cases protected homes from the wind-whipped embers, according to Robinson. These fast-growing evergreen conifer trees are native to the Himalayas and Afghanistan but can be seen in abundance on Altadena's beloved Christmas Tree Lane and throughout the neighborhood. Deodar cedars and other tree species, including oaks, pines and palm trees, proved more likely to survive the wildfires because of natural adaptations: thick bark, high moisture content, height and deep root systems allowed them to endure over other vegetation, according to the National Forest Foundation. Alternatively, many non-native tree species such as eucalyptus -- especially the invasive Tasmanian blue gum -- are known for their high oil content, making them highly flammable, according to the organization. Other common fire-prone trees include cypress, firs, junipers and spruces, according to the National Forest Foundation. Aerial photos taken in the wake of the Eaton Fire prove this to be true -- some plants and trees are fire-resistant, while others are fire-prone. Local leaders have the opportunity to use this information when replanting after the fire, according to Robinson. "Arborists are scouring right now to read the post-fire landscape and see which of those species, like the coast live oaks or the sycamores, really held their ground, and how we should extract knowledge from the vegetation's relationship to structures and rethink how we want to rebuild from the direct empirical experience of the fire," Robinson said. The importance of Arbor Day Dan Lambe, the chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation, told ABC News this year's holiday is especially important in the wake of the wildfires and other recent climate disasters. "There's never been a more important time for trees, and on this Arbor Day in 2025 we're reminded of that as we look at the fires throughout Southern California, the hurricanes throughout North Carolina and Florida and the increasing frequency and severity of storms that are downing and destroying critical tree canopy," Lambe said. Planting trees in honor of Arbor Day dates back to 1872, and while climate and landscape factors have changed since the holiday's inception, the motivation remains crucial. "This Arbor Day is a great chance to celebrate the value of trees and help restore and bring hope and healing back through planting," Lambe said. "As we work with communities to help with disaster recovery, we work with them to make sure we are planting the right trees in the right place, mostly planting native trees so that they survive and thrive for years and years to come," he added. Season of growth Despite the personal and professional losses, Robinson and her Amigos de los Rios team have begun to plant "seeds of hope" in Altadena's civic spaces. Altadena's Triangle Park, a small green plaza marked by the local sheriff's station, a transit bus stop and a church, saw the first replanting and signs of vitality after the Eaton Fire. "It's amazing the power of nature, just the little work we did in front of the sheriff's station, replanting 90 native plants, and they are taking hold," Robinson said. "It's spring, right? It's the most powerful time of the year for rebirth. So we are very confident that nature is going to surprise us in just as magical a way as we were horrified the night of the fires," she added.
Business Wire
22-04-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Identity Digital Partners with the National Forest Foundation to Plant 25,000 Trees in 2025
BELLEVUE, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Identity Digital ®, a leader in connecting the online world with domain names and related technologies, announced a partnership with the National Forest Foundation to plant 25,000 trees in the U.S. by the end of 2025. This partnership will aid essential reforestation efforts on National Forest lands, ensuring resources are allocated to the most pressing restoration needs to sustain these vital ecosystems. As part of this collaboration, the Identity Digital team will have the opportunity to volunteer alongside the National Forest Foundation and U.S. Forest Service staff on a project within the White River National Forest in Colorado. "Identity Digital believes in contributing positively to the communities where we operate, both online and offline. Our core values drive us to expand our sustainability efforts through this significant partnership with the National Forest Foundation. By supporting these projects, we aim to support healthy ecosystems, encourage sustainable practices, and improve public health," said Ram Mohan, Chief Strategy Officer of Identity Digital. "Furthermore, we are dedicated to investing in responsible technology that prioritizes environmental sustainability—driving both business success and meaningful community impact." 'Identity Digital shares the National Forest Foundation's commitment to ensuring National Forests are healthy and provide recreational opportunities for all. Support from Identity Digital and others means that future generations can experience the awe-inspiring beauty and ecological benefits of National Forests,' said Marcus Selig, the National Forest Foundation's Chief Conservation Officer. 'This partnership is a powerful testament to collective action in preserving the vitality of these ecosystems.' In addition to partnering with the National Forest Foundation, Identity Digital is working with multiple organizations around the world to plant trees – improving biodiversity, offsetting carbon emissions, restoring landscapes, rebuilding habitat for wildlife, and empowering communities to take tangible action towards ecological balance. By the end of 2025, Identity Digital will have planted 35,000 trees worldwide. Identity Digital's efforts also expand across Australia, India and Africa through partnerships with: Trillion Trees Australia to plant 25,000 trees over the next four years in Australia. ActionAid India to support New Delhi environmental initiatives that will provide 3,000 saplings, and local employee volunteering support. Habitats Foundation to plant one tree for every hour volunteered by Identity Digital employees with a goal to reach 1,000 volunteer hours. This Earth Day, Identity Digital recognizes its collective responsibility to implement strategies that benefit businesses, preserve ecosystems, and strengthen its communities. Additionally, the company actively invests in responsible technology solutions such as its Identity Digital Registry Services Provider (RSP) services that prioritize environmental sustainability and a positive community impact. To learn more about the National Forest Foundation, visit its webpage here. For more information about Identity Digital, its RSP services or its dedication to wider sustainability initiatives, contact rsp@ About National Forest Foundation With a vision of maintaining healthy, resilient forests and grasslands, the National Forest Foundation undertakes vitally important work – every year, we treat thousands of acres of forest for wildfire resiliency, we improve thousands of miles of trails for improved recreational experiences, and we plant millions of trees. By working 154 forests at a time our impact is felt locally and nationally, ensuring these awe-inspiring places continue to provide clean water for more than 60 million people, drive local and regional economies, and provide a place of solace and recreation for all. For more information, please visit About Identity Digital Identity Digital Inc. simplifies and connects the online world with domain names and related technologies to empower people to build, market, and own their authentic digital identities. With the world's largest portfolio of TLDs including .info, .pro, .world, and .live, Identity Digital supports over 28 million domains on its innovative registry services platform. In addition, Identity Digital enables customers to discover, register, support, and use high-quality domain names with its registrar, Headquartered in Bellevue, WA, Identity Digital is a global company with approximately 250 employees. For more information, please visit
