Several of the sites in the following list were identified in follow-up consultation with North American forestry experts after the release of The Last Frontier Forests assessment.
Tongass National Forest
Forest type: Temperate
Geographic location: Alaska, United States
Threat: Logging
At risk: One of the world's largest tracts of temperate old-growth forest, as well as a unique ecosystem type: coastal temperate rainforest.
Forests of the Darien Gap
Forest type: Tropical
Geographic location: Panama and Colombia
Threat: Logging, other wood removal, proposed highway construction, and coca cultivation
At risk: A proposed highway across the Darien Gap would provide a route for non-indigenous species -- such as organisms that cause hoof-and-mouth disease -- with potentially disastrous long-term biological and economic consequences to both regions. Road construction, logging, and other activities threaten forests that are home to three indigenous cultures and rich native biodiversity.
Clayoquot Sound
Forest type: Temperate
Geographic location: Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada
Threat: Logging. Forest management practices have significantly detracted from the "naturalness" of this area.
At risk: The temperate rainforests of Alaska and British Columbia represent half of the world's remaining temperate rainforest. Only one third of Clayoquot Sound is protected including several pristine old growth watersheds and many bog forests. Home to three aboriginal communities: Ahousaht, Hesquiaht and Tla-o-qui-aht. Logging within watersheds has negatively impacted the fish stocks and clam beds in the area, which are the main economic support for many of the aboriginal communities.
North Cascades National Park and surrounding areas
Forest type: Temperate
Geographic location: Washington state (United States), British Columbia (Canada)
Threat: Habitat fragmentation due to logging, overgrazing, and recreational development around the park.
At risk: The area represents one of only four frontier forest sites in the lower 48 states of the U.S.
Glacier National Park and surrounding forests and wilderness areas
Forest type: Temperate
Geographic location: Montana (United States) and Alberta, British Columbia (Canada)
Threat: Habitat fragmentation, recreational development, oil and mineral exploration, air/water pollution, logging.
At risk: One of only four remaining forest frontier sites in the lower 48 states of the U.S. It is the only location within the 48 contiguous states in which all native predator populations occur naturally: grizzlies, wolves, and mountain lions.
Mathias Colomb First Nation Lands
Forest type: Temperate
Geographic location: Manitoba, Canada
Threat: Logging, mining, development
At risk: The area is home to a northern First Nations Cree community, who depend on hunting, fishing and trapping for their cultural subsistence. Unsustainable logging, mining and development can negatively affect this traditional lifestyle. There are no protected areas in this region.
Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem
Forest type: Temperate
Geographic location: Montana, Wyoming, Idaho (United States)
Threat: Logging, mining, ski resort development, elk and bison management problems.
At risk: One of the two remaining ecosystems in the lower 48 states where there is still a significant population of grizzly bears and one of only four remaining frontier forest sites in the lower 48. The area also provides habitat for North America's largest herds of elk and free-roaming bison.