Resilient Forests Initiative (U.S. National Park Service)

Banner image with NPS arrowhead and text, Resilient Forests Initiative: Stewarding Forests, Strengthening Parks

Photo of gloved hands planting a tree. Text says "RFI Parks: 20; Trees Planted: 5,300; Acres Restored: 642; Youth Employed: 22; Progress to Date" — The Resilient Forests Initiative has ongoing projects throughout eastern national park forests.

The Project

The eastern forests that are iconic to the national park experience, including those of cultural and historical parks, are at risk. Environmental stressors, including high deer populations, invasive plants and insect pests, and diseases threaten to degrade the forested landscapes and scenic vistas cherished by millions of park visitors each year.

To address this growing challenge, the Resilient Forests Initiative (RFI) fosters collaboration between the National Park Service, Forest Stewards Guild, Nature Works, Redstart Forestry, Rock Creek Conservancy, and other partners to enhance the robustness and adaptability of park forests now and into the future.

The Goal

The RFI aims to reverse forest regeneration failures across eastern national parks through active management. Stewardship approaches include removing invasive plants, planting native trees, and protecting natural native regeneration and plantings from deer populations.

Why It Matters

Forests cover tens of thousands of acres in eastern national parks. A recent analysis, led by the NPS Inventory & Monitoring (I&M) Division, found that these park forests consistently contained complex structure and dynamics typical of older forests, making them ecologically and regionally significant. The same monitoring data identified concerning trends in diminishing tree regeneration due to the environmental stressors listed above. Using insights based on I&M data, as well as their ecological and cultural value and risk of forest loss, 39 national parks from Virginia to Maine were selected to participate in the Resilient Forests Initiative.

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Duration:: 1 minute, 42 seconds

Forests in northeastern national parks are under threat. NPS ecologists found a lack of seedlings and saplings across these parks. Deer browsing, invasive species, and severe weather are all additional pressures on forests. The Resilient Forests Initiative unites park managers to share knowledge and resources and ensure healthy forests persist into the future.

Managing Invasive Plants

Responding to forest pests and invasives

Strategically targeting invasive plants helps protect parks' highest-priority natural resources.
Triaging invasive plants

A winning strategy to combat invasive plants becomes a potent tool for restoring special places.
Stiltgrass and tree seedling recovery

A recent analysis of data from Catoctin Mountain Park provided insight into a concerning invasive species: Japanese stiltgrass.

Managing Deer Impacts

Keeping white-tailed deer in balance

As deer apply more pressure to native species, invasive species are poised to fill in the gaps.
Case studies in deer management

What’s worked to support forest regeneration in eastern national parks, what hasn’t, and what’s next.
Reducing herds to the benefit of all

Parks that have controlled deer impacts show that it’s possible to start reviving a forest through adaptive long-term management.

Resilient Forest Management

Restoring forests in Appalachia

Many park forests don’t have enough tree regeneration to replace canopy trees as they fall or die.
Enhancing forest complexity

Enhancing tree regeneration and forest complexity protects the future forest.
A regional initiative

Forests in NPS Region 1 are complex and important, but need help for long-term success.
Resilience in iconic landscapes

Promoting resilient forests improves historical interpretation and the ecological landscape.