Community Forest Spotlight: Spence Mountain
Just south of Klamath Falls, Oregon, the Spence Mountain Community Forest rises from the sagebrush steppe into stands of old-growth ponderosa pine that provide critical habitat for mule deer, elk, and a host of bird species. The 2,400-acre property was acquired as a community forest in 2023 after a multi-year effort led by the Klamath Lake Land Trust with support from Sustainable Northwest and other regional partners.
Spence Mountain sits at the interface between forest and rangeland, a transitional zone that is especially vulnerable to wildfire and climate change. The community forest designation ensures that the property will be managed holistically, balancing ecological restoration with compatible uses like hiking, mountain biking, and environmental education. A network of trails has already been developed, providing residents of Klamath Falls with close-to-home access to nature that was previously unavailable on this privately held land.
From a forest management perspective, Spence Mountain presents both challenges and opportunities. Decades of fire suppression have allowed juniper and brush to encroach on the pine stands, increasing fuel loads and reducing the open, park-like structure that historically characterized these forests. Sustainable Northwest has provided technical assistance on developing a restoration plan that uses mechanical thinning and prescribed fire to reduce hazardous fuels and restore habitat quality.
The Klamath Basin has been at the center of some of the Pacific Northwest’s most contentious natural resource conflicts, from water allocation disputes to the Klamath dam removal. The Spence Mountain Community Forest offers a different narrative, one of collaboration, shared stewardship, and community investment in the land. It is a reminder that even in places with deep divisions, people can come together around the things they hold in common.