The bald eagle lives in forests throughout our U.S. ownership. They prefer high trees within close proximity to bodies of water for hunting. Eagles’ nests are among the largest birds’ nests on earth, typically spanning 4-5 feet across and 2-4 feet deep. Eagles are believed to mate for life and often return to the same nest year after year. Because of this, our foresters set up a protected perimeter around a nest, which will remain in place as long as the nest exists.

Often found growing along stream banks in well-shaded forests, these prolific ferns are a snack for wildlife and a place to hide for smaller mammals. They reproduce by spores that grow in what look like raised dots on their underside rather than seeds. New fronds start as curled stems called “fiddleheads.” Native American tribes used them in many ways, including as bedding and for medicinal purposes.

One of the largest terrestrial salamanders in the world, the Pacific Giant can reach up to 13 inches long when full-grown! These salamanders prefer to live near clear, cold streams in mountainous forest areas. They eat other salamanders, lizards, mice and even some snakes. Our Best Management Practices, which prevent harvests and chemical spraying near waterways, help ensure these salamanders continue to thrive in our forests.

The only type of kingfisher in the Pacific Northwest, this bird spends a lot of its time perched in the buffer trees we protect along waterways as it searches for prey. However, when nesting these birds dig burrows into banks. Kingfishers especially enjoy eating minnow-sized fish, which they capture by darting head-first into the water. They also eat crayfish, tadpoles, insects, mice and smaller birds. To teach their young to fish, they drop dead fish in the water.

Salmon are attracted to clear, cool, flowing waters like the ones in our Pacific Northwest forests. With logs and rocks scattered in these upland streams, there are stillwater areas for egg-laying; safe places for young salmon to hide; and the water is too shallow for larger aquatic predators. We work with biologists to ensure our streams provide an excellent habitat. If bridges or culverts prevent natural water flow, we replace them or if possible remove the road altogether. Learn more here.

American Black Bears have a range that spans miles. Near waterways, where harvesting is limited to protect water quality, they find the older trees they prefer for bedding sites as well as water for drinking and cooling off. Weighing as much as 600 lbs., they eat a variety of forest foods, including berries, grasses and insects as well as fish and mammals. Cubs are born blind during hibernation. They’ll remain with their mother for the first 18 months of their lives.

River otters spend most of their lives in the water. They build dens out of hollow logs or driftwood for shelter and birthing. They’re fish lovers who can smell a concentration of fish and follow the scent upstream. They also eat mussels, crabs, crayfish, amphibians, eggs and even birds. In cold weather, they can even hunt under ice at times.

These smooth crayfish with large claws are native to freshwater streams and lakes in Washington, Oregon and Idaho. Signal crayfish lay 200-400 eggs at a time and can live up to 20 years! As they grow, they shed their exoskeletons, eat them, and grow new ones. Birds, fish and some mammals eat them.