friends of northern arizona forestsForest Projects and Conservation
Fence Management for Protection of Forest Resources
A significant part of Friends of Northern Arizona Forest’s efforts is centered on the construction, maintenance, modification and/or removal of hundreds of miles of wire and log worm fences on both the Flagstaff and the Mogollon Rim Ranger Districts. These fences are integral to the preservation of our natural resources.
Volunteers build, repair, and maintain aspen exclosures, log worm fences, and fences protecting riparian and other threatened areas across northern Arizona forests. A fence "exclosure" is similar in purpose to any other fence except it keeps wildlife and humans out so that young tree sapling can mature unharmed. Log worm fences provide barriers restricting off-road vehicle travel to protect sensitive forest floors and wildlife habitat areas.
During our normal work season, April through October, we work on numerous projects in coordination with the respective forest agencies. Our projects are diverse, volunteer intensive and beneficial to the forest and forest users.
Cross-Cut Saw Team Removing Fallen Trees
While chain saws can be used on many forest trails, only non-motorized, non-mechanized crosscut saws can be used in Forest Service Wilderness areas based on the Wilderness Protection Act of 1964. Volunteers saw trees on trails in the Kachina Peaks Wilderness and the Sycamore Canyon Wilderness, which were both designated as wilderness areas by Congress in 1984. Non-Wilderness trails are cleared as well.
Volunteers cut and remove trees that have fallen across some of the 420 miles of trails in the Flagstaff Ranger District using the historic method of cross-cut saws. The certified cross cut volunteers are giving some love to our local trails and making it easier for hikers.
LOPPING TEAM
The newly formed Lopping Team went into the field in September 2025 to test of the new equipment and experimenting with lopping techniques. When the full season opens in 2026, they will go out twice a month.
FoNAF purchased an electric brush cutter (similar in design to a weed whacker), multiple batteries, and appropriate safety equipment. Safety training is conducted by Forest Service staff for all the volunteers prior to joining in a project.
Endorsed by our silviculturist, the mission is to cut down small pine saplings in and around exclosures to allow aspens to thrive and reduce competition for sun and nutrients with the pines. Also on their radar are pines and pinions in open forest land that prevent wildlife finding shelter and comfort from predators.
