Author: Michael Cravens, AWF's Advocacy and Conservation Director

As a hunter deeply rooted in northern Arizona who has chosen to raise my children here, my connection to the land extends far beyond the thrill of the hunt. It's about a profound respect for the delicate balance of our ecosystems, which are increasingly threatened by a rapidly changing world. 

The over 12 million acres of national forest lands in Arizona are not just scenic vistas; they are essential to our way of life. They provide clean drinking water, diverse wildlife habitats critical for healthy game populations, and economic benefits through the outdoor recreation industry, which is vital to many rural communities. They are the places I often choose to camp, hunt, and fish with my family. Yet, our forests and old growth are facing unprecedented vulnerabilities. The fire season that once came with a sense of annual anticipation has now turned into a year-round crisis, with increasingly severe and frequent wildfires becoming the norm. This is especially concerning for our old growth, which provide vital habitat, contribute to carbon storage, and have cultural significance.

As hunters and stewards of the land, we see the impact firsthand: remote wildlife water catchments that once thrived on regular rainfall and snowmelt now need hundreds of thousands of gallons hauled in by volunteers and the Arizona Game and Fish Department. The same stressors affect our forests and old growth, which need to be resilient enough to endure prolonged dry spells, which don’t appear to be going anywhere.

In June this year, the U.S. Forest Service published its Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed national old-growth forest plan amendment, which seeks to standardize guidelines for the stewardship, conservation, and regeneration of old-growth forests across U.S. national forests. The amendment emphasizes proactive management to address threats like wildfires and climate change through adaptive strategies informed by local data, sound science, and Indigenous knowledge. This landmark proposal offers a crucial step toward addressing these issues. 

However, we must ensure that the guidelines set forth in the amendment are flexible enough to address the unique characteristics of our regional forests. The old-growth forests in Arizona differ greatly from those in states like Washington or Oregon, and our management strategies must reflect these differences. Old-growth trees here take much longer to mature, and our forests' ecological dynamics are distinct. As we navigate periods of longer drought and more frequent and intense wildfires, we need an intentional management style that assesses and adapts to the needs of our forests while actively collaborating with local communities and tribes.

Now is the time for us, as conservationists, to advocate for the future of our forests and old growth, and in turn, the future of our wildlife and hunting heritage. 

Our old growth forests are a legacy we must protect, not just for ourselves but for future generations. Let us come together to support this critical amendment, ensuring that our national forests remain vibrant and resilient, continuing to offer their myriad benefits for years to come.