The Northern Spotted Owl, listed as threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act in 1990, is often thought of as an icon of the Pacific Northwest’s ancient forests--and for good reason. This elusive medium-sized bird is generally considered an “indicator species” for the health of hundreds of different birds and mammals that live in these forests. 

Loss of owl habitat as a result of excessive logging on federal, state, and private lands has been the main factor contributing to the owls’ decline. Other factors, some aggravated by past and present logging, may also be affecting the owl, including the barred owl, loss of habitat from forest fires and forest succession.

Despite measures taken on federal lands to protect much of the owl’s remaining habitat (President Clinton’s 1994 “Northwest Forest Plan”), many scientists believe that the Northern Spotted Owl is headed towards extinction in Washington State if the declines continue. In fact, the owl’s population in the state has decreased by 50% in the past 10 years (Anthony Report).  The status of the owl was recently reviewed by the federal government as part of an Endangered Species Act mandated 5-year review. Read the USFWS Report and the scientific evaluation.  Despite the precipitous decline in Washington, the owl's status was maintained as threatened. The Washington Forest Law Center believes that heavy logging on state and private land is a factor in the population decrease and will make recovery more difficult. 

About one-third of the owls’ historic home range lies on state and private forest land in Washington. Although comparatively little habitat remains on non-federal land, logging habitat has continued under the current forest practice rules passed in 1996. According to an official study by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Pierce Report, about 59,000 acres of suitable owl habitat on non-federal land has been logged since 1996. Of these 59,000 acres, approximately 65% was logged in areas the State of Washington itself designated as “special emphasis” owl habitat in 1996. 

In addition, the state has issued permits to log in areas outside the “special emphasis areas.” For example, the State authorized timber companies to log approximately 6,300 acres of suitable owl habitat in southwestern Washington, or about 44% of the remaining habitat--in areas not covered by any comprehensive owl conservation plan that has been approved by a state or federal agency.

What WFLC is doing to protect and recover the owl in Washington.

WFLC’s goal is to assist its client organizations in ensuring that the Washington forest practices rules protect and recover the northern spotted owl. Since the fall of 2003, WFLC has been on the forefront ensuring that Washington's forest practices rules truly protect and recover the remaining owls in Washington.

Read extensive local and national media coverage on the northern spotted owl, focusing attention on habitat loss and the owl’s newest threat, the barred owl. Read recent news articles.