This protocol narrative outlines the rationale, sampling design and methods for monitoring forest vegetation in the North Coast and Cascades Network (NCCN) as part of the Vital Signs Monitoring Program of the National Park Service (NPS). The NPS defines "vital signs" as "a relatively small set of information-rich attributes that are used to track the overall condition or "health" of park natural resources and to provide early warning of situations that require intervention" (Fancy et al. 2009).