Central Appalachian Spruce Restoration Initiative (CASRI)
The Central Appalachian Spruce Restoration Initiative (CASRI) is a partnership of diverse interests with a common goal of restoring historic red spruce-northern hardwood ecosystems across the high elevation landscapes of Central Appalachia. It is comprised of private, state, federal, and non-governmental organizations which recognize the importance of this ecosystem for its ecological, aesthetic, recreational, economic, and cultural values.
Red spruce and red spruce-northern hard-wood forests once dominated the highest elevations of West Virginia, covering more than 500,000 acres. Extensive logging in the late 1800s and early 1900s reduced much of the mature forest in the Appalachians, including the red spruce-dominated stands. Today only about 29,600 acres of high elevation red spruce forests remain in the State.
2011 Year-End Report
2011 proved to be another successful year for the growing restoration initiative. CASRI partners helped raise an additional $16,547.00 for on-the-ground projects in 2011, adding to the $145,794.00 raised since 2006. CASRI partners planted 56,100 seedlings, received $36,230.00 in in-kind services, and recruited over 2,175 volunteer hours. Acres planted totaled 165 acres for 2011, adding to the over 550 acres planted since 2006. Over 160 acres of red spruce were released from the understory by commercial and non-commercial cuttings. Over 1,400 acres of potential spruce habitat were protected through land protection projects and conservation easements.
