Bald Eagles and Forest Management

Current management of known bald eagle nesting habitat on Weyerhaeuser Company lands in Oregon and Washington states is described. Observations of continued nesting productivity indicate that with careful planning successful integration of forest and eagle habitat management is achievable. Forest management programs can provide nesting habitat concurrent with the production of forest products by manipulation of forest stand structure using site-specific management plans. Factors to be considered in maintaining suitable nesting habitat relate to the specific location and prominence of the area relative to the surroundings and tree crown conditions within areas of potential eagle use. Management for nesting habitat must be directed towards the entire potential nesting site, rather than at individual nest trees for maintenance of successful eagle nesting. Key words: Bald eagle, wildlife management, forest management, endangered species.