Top Ten Ancient Forests of the United States

Opal Creek, Oregon

By Mark Leger

Mossy and bumpy forest floor (Friends of Opal Creek)

Opal Creek is not far from Portland, Oregon, deep in the heart of Douglas fir country. "Doug" fir is the predominate species of the Pacific Northwest. They create multilayered canopies and an eventful forest floor with many fallen logs and "snags," which are standing dead trees. In the 1980s, Opal Creek was the object of a fierce campaign to save it. Out of that struggle grew an innovative program to maintain the forest and educate the public about the value of ancient forests. Opal Creek Ancient Forest Center maintains an education center at an old camp called Jawbones Flats in the Detroit Ranger District of Willamette National Forest.