Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests

Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests in northern Idaho have implemented a series of reforestation projects in recent years to recover from wildfire, restore native tree cover, and enhance long-term ecosystem resilience. These efforts focus on planting native species across fire-affected landscapes and other disturbed areas to support watershed health, wildlife habitat, and forest regeneration.

In 2025, three large-scale planting efforts were carried out across multiple ranger districts. The Greenhorn Gold Hill – Spring 2025 project in the Palouse Ranger District resulted in the planting of 194,300 native tree seedlings. The Dutch Oven – Spring Tree Planting in the Red River Ranger District introduced 100,082 trees, while the Stray Creek & Tinker Bugs – Spring 2025 project in the Lochsa/Powell Ranger District added 70,612 trees. These efforts focused on reestablishing forest cover in high-priority zones impacted by fire and insect outbreaks.

In 2024, the Central Zone Spring and Fall Plantings project contributed 90,332 trees to areas recovering from wildfire and environmental disturbance. The work supported ecological recovery through the planting of species such as western white pine, western larch, and ponderosa pine.

In 2023, the Lolo Pass (BM Hill) Wildfire Restoration project planted 28,000 trees to accelerate forest regeneration and stabilize soils in areas burned by the BM Hill Fire near Lolo Pass.

In 2022, the Johnson Bar and Woodrat Fires Reforestation project introduced 86,000 native tree seedlings to fire-damaged landscapes. The project aimed to restore forest composition, reduce erosion, and improve overall ecosystem function.

Together, these projects reflect the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests’ continued investment in forest restoration through reforestation efforts that enhance biodiversity, watershed protection, and resilience to future disturbance.