(BDF) Southeast Alaska – Tongass National Forest

The Sitka black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus sitkensis) is native to Southeast Alaska’s coastal rainforests, where it plays a vital role in maintaining ecological balance and supporting the subsistence lifestyles of more than 30 local communities. Yet, populations have declined sharply in recent decades. One of the most urgent threats to these deer comes from dense second-growth forests. As young trees grow close together, their closed canopies block sunlight, preventing the growth of the understory plants that deer depend on for food.

Through initiatives like habitat restoration, brush planting, and wildlife-friendly fencing, we’ve helped improve over 700,000 acres of critical mule deer range. Our work supports sustainable land management and benefits a wide array of species across the American West. For every dollar donated, $0.88 goes directly to conservation efforts helping ensure a future where mule deer thrive and our North American landscapes remain wild, resilient, and full of life. Join us in protecting mule deer and the lands they roam. Support science-based wildlife conservation. Support the Mule Deer Foundation, today!

Mule deer buck walking through autumn grassland.

The Mule Deer Foundation (MDF) and the newly established Blacktail Deer Foundation (BDF) are working together to confront these challenges, with a special focus on the 17-million-acre Tongass National Forest the heart of Sitka blacktail habitat. By promoting sustainable young-growth forest management, these efforts not only restore critical habitat but also create significant economic opportunities through emerging markets for sustainable forest products.

Through partnerships with federal agencies, Tribal nations, and local communities, BDF leads projects that thin overcrowded stands, encourage understory growth, and restore the forest’s natural diversity. This work is central to the broader transition from reliance on old-growth logging to long-term, sustainable forest management that benefits wildlife, ecosystems, and people alike. Together, MDF and BDF are charting a path forward ensuring that Sitka black-tailed deer and the communities that depend on them can thrive for generations to come.