Aspen is declining throughout the Western United States. A variety of factors are responsible for this decline including changes in fire regimes and over-browsing of new aspen shoots by cattle, deer and elk. The interruption of natural disturbance regimes in aspen groves such as fire which helped re-initiate new aspen and control conifer encroachment is a main factor in this decline. Aspen regenerate prolifically following fire, floods, avalanches or other disturbance such as timber harvest. However, cattle, deer and elk have greatly reduced re-sprouting of new aspen in many areas.

In Oregon in recent years, efforts have been initiated on aspen on public lands. However, few resources have been made available to private landowners to assist with rehabilitation of aspen on their lands. The Oregon Aspen Project is a multi-landowner effort started in 2007 to restore aspen habitats on private lands. Forest Restoration Partnership is recruiting landowners interested in enhancing and re-introducing aspen on their lands. Technical assistance will be provided and grants written to fund projects.

The Land manager’s guide to aspen management is now completed and available to download at the link below:
http://ir.library.oregonstate.edu/jspui/handle/1957/18399