Wyetheia angustifola, commonly known as the California compassplant, is in full bloom in Big Meadow on the Scott River Headwaters property in northern California. Alpine meadows, such as this one, play a big role in forest ecosystems by storing groundwater that replenishes streams during the hot summer months and providing an important source of forage and habitat for rare and threatened species. EFM is proud to be partnering with local conservation organizations to restore and protect these meadows so that they can continue to provide these important services.

The Moss Creek watershed on the Garibaldi property is home to the first forest carbon project in Oregon and Washington. The project will offset approximately 150,000 tons of carbon through 2040. These offsets are made possible by EFM's management actions that reduce harvest volumes, extend rotations, expand reserves and protect important habitat. These voluntary actions go above and beyond regulatory requirements and are guided by the standards of the FSC, an independent non-governmental, not for profit organization established to promote the responsible management of the world's forests.

A key component of EFM’s timber harvests is keeping or retaining trees for wildlife, slope stability, and as biological legacies; this approach to retaining trees in harvest units is called variable retention harvesting, and was developed by Dr. Jerry Franklin and other forest managers in the early 1990s in response to criticisms of the ecological, recreational, and visual impacts of clearcutting. A recent update to our variable retention guidelines further specifies targets for maximum openings, how retained trees are distributed, and what species and types of trees are kept, with an eye to ecological value, future harvests, resistance to wind throw, and logger and public safely.

Deep in the understory of native forests in the Pacific Northwest lies the hardy and ubiquitous shrub Gaultheria shallon, more commonly known as salal. This iconic plant, recognized by many for its beautiful green foliage sold commercially for floral arrangements, was also an important food source for Native Americans. Dark purple berries are harvested in late summer and can be used in jams, pies, and dried into cakes. Their earthy, grape-like flavor complements both sweet and savory foods while the antioxidant-rich nutritional profile makes this a forest food not to be missed!