Latest News About The Pinchot Partners

Burley Mountain Huckleberry Enhancement

The Pinchot Partners and Cowlitz Indian Tribe are collaborating with the Forest Service on a project focused on Huckleberry enhancement. Huckleberries are valuable understory species that are important for wildlife and cultural uses, but huckleberry production is declining in many northwestern huckleberry fields as they are invaded by subalpine trees due to the suppression of fire over the last 100 years.

We are currently working with the Cowlitz Ranger District to share knowledge, identify a high priority location, and design the project. Huckleberries are very significant as a traditional food resource to the Cowlitz Indian Tribe. They have been harvested in many parts of the Forest since time immemorial. The Pinchot Partners and the Cowlitz Indian Tribe are eager to work with the Forest Service on the protection, restoration, and enhancement of such a culturally significant resource like huckleberries.

We visited the Burley Mountina area during a field trip in September (perfect time for huckleberries!) to talk about the importance of the project and specific sites for restoration opportunities. To learn more about this project please contact us at pinchotpartners@gmail.com.