Red spruce in the Central Appalachian Mountains

Red spruce forests, once widespread across the central and southern Appalachians, now persist only in scattered fragments on mountaintops. Researchers are partnering with local community groups to restore the spruce forest’s structure and reconnect forest patches, creating resilient habitat for wildlife like the Virginia northern flying squirrel (hereafter flying squirrel), while also protecting clean water, carbon storage, and outdoor recreation in the Central Appalachians.