Tongass National Forest

About

Tongass National Forest, located in Southeast Alaska, is the largest national forest in the United States, covering approximately 17 million acres. It is renowned for its extensive temperate rainforest, featuring towering trees such as western hemlock and Sitka spruce. The forest's diverse ecosystem supports a wide range of wildlife, including brown bears, wolves, Sitka black-tailed deer, and bald eagles. It is also home to five species of Pacific salmon and numerous bird species. The Tongass is culturally significant, being the ancestral land of the Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian peoples. The forest's landscape includes thousands of islands, glacial fjords, and rugged mountains. It stores significant amounts of carbon, making it a crucial component in global climate mitigation efforts. Tourism and commercial fishing are major economic activities in the region, with the forest providing unique recreational opportunities. The Tongass has faced environmental challenges, including logging, but conservation efforts have been implemented to protect its old-growth forests and ensure the long-term health of the ecosystem.