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Experimental Forests & Demonstration Areas
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The Rocky Mountain Research Station administers experimental forests including Coram and Tenderfoot Creek.
Demonstration forests such as Lick Creek and Miller Creek are managed by Region 1 of the National Forest system.
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![[Photograph]: This study area of western larch on the Flathead National Forest near Glacier National Park provides a scientific basis for managing this important and valuable species.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081107151910im_/http://www.fs.fed.us/rm/ecology/demo/coram/images/coram_small.jpg) |
CORAM EXPERIMENTAL FOREST
Coram Experimental Forest was established in 1933 on the Flathead National Forest in northwest Montana as an area representative of the western larch (Larix occidentalis Nutt.) forest cover type distributed within the upper Columbia River basin.
Research of western larch was centered at Coram Experimental Forest to provide a scientific basis to manage this important and valuable species. In 1938, 339 ha (838 ac) of the experimental forest was reserved as a natural area.
It was officially recognized as the "Coram Research Natural Area" in 1988.
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![[Photograph]: At this site we are monitoring and researching lodgepole pines of the fire-prone forests at moderate to high altitudes in the Northern Rocky Mountains.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081107151910im_/http://www.fs.fed.us/rm/ecology/demo/tenderfoot/images/tenderfoot_cr_small.jpg) |
TENDERFOOT CREEK EXPERIMENTAL FOREST
The Tenderfoot Creek Experimental Forest was established in 1961 and is representative of the vast expanses of lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) found east of the Continental Divide in Montana, southwest Alberta, and Wyoming.
Lodgepole pine stands on the experimental forest form a mosaic, typical of the fire-prone forests at moderate to high altitudes in the Northern Rocky Mountains.
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![[Photograph]: Features at Lick Creek include culture and retention of large diameter ponderosa pine through selection and irregular shelterwood silvicultural systems.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081107151910im_/http://www.fs.fed.us/rm/ecology/demo/lickcreek/images/lickcreek_small.jpg) |
LICK CREEK ECOSYSTEM MANAGEMENT/RESEARCH DEMONSTRATION AREA
The Lick Creek Ecosystem Management/Research Demonstration Area is on the Darby Ranger District of the Bitterroot National Forest in western Montana.
Although the area has a long history (since 1906) of management and research activities, it was not officially established until February 1991 when the Intermountain Research Station and the Bitterroot National Forest entered into a formal agreement to cooperate on innovative methods to manage vegetation for varied resource outputs.
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![[Photograph]: Ongoing research to determine how broadcast fires in logging slash should be scheduled to meet management goals.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081107151910im_/http://www.fs.fed.us/rm/ecology/demo/millercreek/images/millercreek_small.jpg) |
MILLER CREEK DEMONSTRATION FOREST
Miller Creek, a 5,518-acre (2,234 hectare) forested watershed, located in northwest Montana's Flathead National Forest was designated a Demonstration Forest in 1989 to protect existing study areas and promote future research.
A multidisciplinary team of scientists began research there in 1967 to determine criteria by which prescribed broadcast fires in logging slash could be scheduled to best meet site preparation, hazard reduction, and other management goals.
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If you are interested in performing a study on one of these sites, we can help by sharing information. Please contact our Experimental Forest managers before planning your study.
Jack Schmidt is the manager at the Coram Experimental Forest, and Ward McCaughey is manager at the Tenderfoot Experimental Forest. Check our staff directory for contact information.
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