We live in the Klamath mountains, one of the most biologically diverse regions in North America. Within our forest lies the largest expanse of wild habitat in the Pacific Northwest and some of the most intact streams and least disturbed watersheds left on earth. Our communities are predominantly rural and include several reservations and sovereign tribal governments. In recent years our salmon populations have died in record numbers from disease caused by low flows during the hot season. The salmon’s demise, like the wildfires that all too often rage through these mountains, are stark evidence of the problems confronting us.

Our mission is to support sustainable ecosystems and sustainable communities. We are honored to work for the Klamath forest and its communities and we see human beings as an integral part of its living fabric. At the same time we stand and act in opposition to human misuse and mismanagement of its resources, especially when done in violation of federal and state laws. We support the ethics, culture and science of indigenous management techniques, such as controlled burning, ceremonial practices that insured salmon harvest at the optimum times for sustaining the populations, and harvesting practices that actually increase stands of wild food plants. We also support contemporary grass-roots strategies such as culling invasive species by hand, ground-truthing timber sales and performing seasonal fish counts.

The Klamath Forest Alliance exists for individuals and organizations who identify with and are actively working toward achieving our mission. This includes anyone who wants to prevent the misuse of the forest and its products – especially ancient trees and clean water. It also includes people and organizations who are working to renew and restore our human communities, including reconciliation between the indigenous communities and those who now control what was only a few generations native land. We believe that broad recognition of the genocide practiced here in the recent past will contribute to a more balanced understanding of conflicts over water in the Klamath Basin.

The programs and projects we pursue are the creations of committed individuals working collaboratively in a democratic, consensus-building process that flows through electronic media and converges at periodic meetings. We work primarily in Klamath Falls and the Middle Klamath region, including the Salmon River. Increasingly, however, our river work brings us to other parts of the Klamath Basin and beyond. Some of us are paid; most are volunteers. We are always open to new people bringing new projects and programs under the KFA umbrella. What we do changes as new projects advance and expand over time. Community members who identify with our mission to preserve, protect and restore the Klamath Mountain region -- its forest, waters, wildlife and human communities-- are encouraged to contact us and get involved. KFA is here for you!!