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
Forest products, workers are a part of critical infrastructure
(Above: Sierra Pacific Industries’ state-of-the-art mill in Shelton.) The forest products industry plays a vital role in our nation’s infrastructure – especially in response to the global COVID-19 epidemic, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced in a memorandum this week. The DHS memo, signed by Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Director Christopher Krebs, underscored that because the forestry industry … Read More
Gov. Inslee presented with bill to recognize forest sector as part of climate solution
A bill recognizing the important role working forests play in removing greenhouse gases from the atmosphere is set to become law. Washington lawmakers passed SB 6355 and HB 2528 in early March, sending the legislation to Gov. Jay Inslee for signing. Once enacted into law, state agencies would recognize and support efforts by timber companies to sequester carbon through reforestation … Read More
Prescribed burns, thinning increased forest resiliency during and after Carlton Complex fire, researchers say
Forested areas that had prescribed burns and tree thinning treatments in the Methow Valley in advance of the Carlton Complex fire experienced greater resiliency, according to a study published in Ecological Applications, the Ecological Society of America journal. A University of Washington news release reports that a joint study conducted by University of Washington and US Forest Service researchers found that … Read More