Social distancing and stay-home orders won’t prevent the Washington State University Extension Forestry program from fulfilling its mission to educate and provide research-based information for small-forest landowners. WSU Extension Forestry has launched a series of online webinars and began offering the free classes in May. The one-hour sessions have been met with enthusiasm by both forestland owners and the general … Read More
Working forests represent hope, optimism
Forestry has always been about the future and taking a long-viewed approach. By the very nature of what they do, the stewards of sustainably managed working forests must plan decades ahead since it can take a half-century before the saplings planted today are harvested. Encapsulating the forward-looking mindset of working forests, the Washington Forest Protection Association (WFPA) has introduced a … Read More
Will coronavirus impact the state’s wildfire response?
The coronavirus is having a profound impact on the state’s ability to plan for this year’s wildfire season. In otherwise normal times, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recruit seasonal firefighters and lays the groundwork for wildfire response in early spring. But, a KING-TV story reports that activities like wildfire response planning and hiring wildland firefighting crews had recently been … Read More
Local forest products company creates clean electricity
Above: Sierra Pacific Industries’ Burlington Mill has a cogeneration power plant that uses wood residuals created during the milling process to create steam heat and electricity. A Skagit County lumber mill will soon be a clean energy source for thousands of Puget Sound Energy’s(PSE) customers. PSE announced in March that Sierra Pacific Industries (SPI) will provide renewable electricity generated … Read More
Working Forest License Plate
The journey to a Washington Working Forest specialty license plate took its first important steps in the recently completed 2020 State Legislature. The process to go from idea to an actual, official state license plate is a long and complicated one. The culminating event is the passage of a bill in the Legislature. Last year, that attempt was HB 2166, … Read More
Resources for homeschooling parents
Above: Before the Coronavirus and social distancing, Port Blakely environmental education coordinator Kelly Stanley led students on a field trip. Port Blakely has partnered with Washington state schools to provide outdoor learning opportunities for 29 years. This photo was taken earlier when Port Blakely was offering tours prior to the Stay Home, Stay Healthy order. Enjoy some of the artwork … Read More
Coronavirus and the forest product supply chain
The coronavirus pandemic has impacted every person in Washington state. Social distancing, stay-home orders and the closure of non-essential businesses have modified how we now live, work and recreate in profound ways. Sheltering in place also has significantly impacted consumer habits. Generally speaking, we’re purchasing more groceries as dining out is not an option in our immediate future and other … Read More
COVID-19 Links, Models and Media
COVID-19 Website Resources: Washington state Dept. of Commerce COVID website AWB COVID-19 resources for employers CDC Guidance for Businesses US Small Business Administration CARES Act Washington State COVID-19 Resource Guide from K&L Gates with an overview and links to benefits for people in Washington State John Hopkins COVID-19 Basics COVID-19 MODELS: Washington Dept. of Health daily statistics University of … Read More
The 2020 Washington Legislature: As seen by private forest landowners
The 2020 Washington legislative session was, as expected, short and fast-moving. The Legislature wrapped up all business around 8:30 PM on March 12th. Of course, the last few weeks of the session were colored by the growing disruption of the coronavirus. Gov. Jay Inslee held the press conference that limited all public gatherings on the last day of the session, … Read More
Gov. Inslee signs forestry industry carbon bill
Gov. Jay Inslee signed into law on Wednesday, March 25th legislation that recognizes the essential role Washington state’s forestry industry and working forests play in removing greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. The legislation formally establishes a state policy recognizing and supporting the complete forest products sector as a climate solution, which includes landowners, mills, bioenergy, pulp and paper, harvesting and … Read More