A group formed in May 2003 to exchange information among forest scientists, forest managers, and forest landowners in northern Alaska. The term "northern forest" includes boreal forest extending over much of interior and southcental Alaska and the northern Kenai Peninsula but excludes the coastal spruce-fir forest (see map below). The Cooperative has a technical focus and is not a political or advocacy organization. However, it recognizes that non-technical or traditional knowledge has value in forest management and that learning occurs by collaboration among scientists, landowners, and forest managers.