Every third week of October, the United States celebrates National Forest Products Week. Forest Products Week provides an opportunity for us all to recognize our nation’s forestry sector and reflect on how working forests benefit our economy, the environment and quality of life. The forestry sector is special because it provides numerous essential products made from a sustainably sourced, renewable … Read More
A Diversity of Forest Land Owners are Keeping Forests Healthy
It takes a network of people to keep forests healthy By Washington Forest Protection Association Keeping our forests healthy and resilient to wildfire requires a network of dedicated people — including foresters, loggers, truck drivers, biologists, conservationists, mill manufacturers and energy workers who convert forest residuals into biofuels. Washington’s diversity of land managers from public, private, state, tribal and federal agencies keep … Read More
Study shows forest practices protect core salmon temperatures in forested streams
A recently released decade-long study looking at several aspects of water quality, including temperature and sediment, show that current forest practices rules as outlined in the Forests & Fish Law are protective of fish. Beginning in 2007, the study measured temperature, sediment and other parameters of water quality two years before a harvest on forestland that is home to non-fish … Read More
Forests & Fish Law celebrates 22 years
Pacific salmon and the pristine, fresh waterways they inhabit have long been integral to the Pacific Northwest’s identity. That is why when salmon populations began to decline, governments, agencies, private forestland owners and other stakeholders came together to find a solution that would protect salmon habitat and aid in the iconic fish’s recovery. This year marks 22 years since the … Read More
Managed forests are healthy forests
As wildfires throughout the West dominate local and national news headlines, a University of Washington analysis of western forest fires concludes that more than a century of fire exclusion has made forests more vulnerable to large-scale wildfires. The study contends the misguided notion that all forest fires were bad created “dense forests packed with excess trees and brush that ignite … Read More
Western red cedar planted on West Capitol Campus honors Mark Doumit
Former Washington Forest Protection Association (WFPA) executive director and Washington State legislator Mark Doumit was quoted as saying: “It’s an act of faith when a farmer, a tree farmer, plants a tree.” Doumit, a former small tree farmer and state legislator, served in the Washington State Legislature from 1997 through 2006, where he served three terms as a state representative … Read More
Q&A with Jason Spadaro
The Washington Forest Protection Association (WFPA) executive committee recently appointed Jason Spadaro as interim executive director for the 113-year-old organization. Jason’s unanimous appointment follows the sudden passing of longtime executive director, Mark Doumit, in late June. Jason, who will serve as interim executive director has more than 30 years of forestry sector experience and is currently the owner of Noble … Read More
Remembering Mark Doumit Public Gathering at Wilcox Family Farm 2pm 7/13/21
Integrity, kindness, savvy, wisdom, generosity and fun-loving are the oft-used words that people used to describe beloved friend, colleague, lifelong public servant and forestry sector supporter Mark Doumit. The Washington Forest Protection Association (WFPA) lost a dear member of its family and the forestry sector one if its most passionate champions with the announcement that Mark passed away unexpectedly June … Read More
Working forests lead the way
Washington’s working forests have long led the way on environmental stewardship and sustainability. Recognizing early on that working forests require resilient trees and a healthy environment, Washington’s private forestland owners have embraced the guiding principle of using the best available science to improve and evolve forest practices. The certainty that good science will lead the way has contributed to a … Read More
State legislature approves funding to test benefits of biochar facility
Okanogan County could soon be the test site for a pilot project that aims to transform thinned trees, logging slash and other organic waste into a carbon-sequestering agricultural product while supporting forest health efforts. The Methow Valley News reports that the Washington state Legislature set aside $160,000 in funding in the biennium budget for a pilot project that would convert … Read More