Bear Valley National Wildlife Refuge

These mature stands of trees have open branching patterns of large limbs which allow easy eagle access and can support many birds. Located on a northeast slope, the roost also shelters these raptors from the harsh and prevailing winter winds. In recent years, as many as 300 bald eagles have used the roost in a single night. Bear Valley National Wildlife Refuge also serves as a nesting habitat for several bald eagle pairs.

Past selective logging activities coupled with the exclusion of fire cycles have yielded excessive fuel loadings and overstocked tree stand densities, thus placing eagle roosting habitat at risk of catastrophic wildfire, and creating potential forest health problems. A plan for the long-term maintenance and improvement of bald eagle habitat has been implemented.

To reduce the risk of wildfire and improve forest health at Bear Valley National Wildlife Refuge, prescribed fire is used to maintain fuel loading at an acceptable level, and move the tree species composition toward a more natural condition (i.e., more fire-tolerant tree species). 

An adaptive management approach is used to examine the results of these management actions allowing for improved outcomes over time.

Bear Valley National Wildlife Refuge Improvement Plan