 The conservation fund has helped protect forest land in the Columbia River Gorge near Hood River and Deep River Woods near Astoria. Nationwide, it's secured forests in 21 states. The organization uses community and private partnerships to protect nature. Dangler says large, intact forests support jobs in rural communities through logging, trucking, building roads, and other activities. And, of course, the wildlife habitat that goes along with it. Good forest management usually improves wildlife habitat for lots of different species.