Protecting Mt. Ashland’s Botanical Treasures: A Commitment Rooted in Stewardship
At Mt. Ashland, we don’t just operate a ski area—we care for a mountain. And with that comes a deep responsibility to protect the diverse and sometimes rare plant communities that make this peak a jewel of the Siskiyou Range.
From the iconic Mt. Ashland lupine—found nowhere else on Earth—to the resilient Henderson’s horkelia and the Engelmann spruce groves nestled in our wetlands, our landscape is home to an incredible array of flora. That’s why we have a robust, science-based conservation plan in place, developed in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service and informed by decades of monitoring, restoration, and collaborative management.
Our Mt. Ashland Soil and Water Conservation Plan guides how we operate year-round, with clear strategies for erosion control, revegetation using native species, rare plant habitat protection, and mitigation during trail and lift work. It’s not just a document—it’s a commitment. Each summer, our team implements restoration practices to stabilize soils, protect wetlands, and support the long-term resilience of sensitive habitats.
We regularly monitor key species, including those identified by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Forest Service, and we’ve partnered on specific projects to restore habitat and reduce human impact in critical areas.
Recently, concerns were raised about the removal of a small number of subalpine fir trees on the upper mountain. While this species is not federally listed or part of rare plant conservation, we acknowledge that it is locally uncommon and ecologically significant in this area. The trees were removed as part of a forest health and trail maintenance effort on an existing trail under guidance from USFS personnel—but unfortunately, the importance of this particular stand was not clearly communicated during planning discussions.
This was a mistake, and one we take seriously.
As a result, we are updating our internal protocols and increasing coordination with USFS staff and local experts to ensure all future work is guided by the most current information on sensitive plant communities. We’re also grateful for offers from botanists and community members who want to support our efforts—and we welcome their involvement moving forward.
Conservation on Mt. Ashland is not an afterthought—it’s foundational to everything we do. As a nonprofit community ski area, our goal is to ensure this mountain remains a place of awe and ecological richness for future generations. That means listening, learning, and continually improving how we care for the land.
We’re proud of the work we’ve done—and committed to doing better where we fall short. The mountain is stronger when we care for it together.