The 2025 Washington State Legislature adjourned on time on Sunday, April 28th – no small feat given the magnitude of challenges lawmakers faced during the 105-day legislative session. This year marked the first session since the Great Recession where the Legislature was forced to reckon with a multibillion-dollar budget shortfall – an estimated $15 billion gap – that required difficult … Read More
WFPA members, lawmakers celebrate Forest Products Day
The Washington State Senate unanimously adopted Senate Resolution 8633, recognizing the profound impact of the state’s forestry sector and tens of thousands of workers who sustain it. As part of Washington Forest Products Day at the Legislature, the resolution offered a timely and meaningful tribute to an industry that is simultaneously rooted in tradition and continues to embrace innovation as … Read More
Legislators recognize John Ehrenreich, advance bill related to reporting requirements on timber purchases
It’s easy to presume that all legislative bodies are rife with partisanship. The recent headlines we see focus on high-profile conflicts, leaving the impression that cooperation and collegiality are in short supply. However, the reality is far different in the case of the Washington State Legislature. In fact, most bills that pass through the State Legislature are bipartisan measures aimed … Read More
2025 Legislative Session begins amid great change, budget shortfalls
Significant leadership transitions and pressing budget challenges are expected to define the policymaking landscape as Washington state gears up for the 2025 legislative session. Some of these developments will be applicable to the forestry sector, which remains a cornerstone of Washington’s economy and way of life, with new agency directors and possibly shifting priorities. With Governor-elect Bob Ferguson set to … Read More
Coburg Tree Farm earns 2024 National Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year Award
A Pierce County tree farm has garnered top national honors for their sustainable practices and commitment to the exceptional care of their forests. Congratulations to Washington state’s Coburg Tree Farm, owned and operated by the Townsend family, for receiving the National Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year award for 2024. The Townsend family, recently recognized as the West Region Outstanding … Read More
UW Architecture students look to wood
University of Washington College of Built Environments architecture students took their skills beyond the classroom, designing and constructing unique benches throughout the Seattle campus. The project, which combined practical design experience with enhancing the campus environment, resulted in functional and visually engaging seating areas made of wood sourced from Washington timber suppliers. Sustainable Forestry Initiative Implementation Committee (SIC) generously provided … Read More
Scientists explore cutting-edge applications for wood
Wood and forest products have long been appreciated as a versatile and sustainable material. But recent innovations are pushing the boundaries of its potential even further. Researchers around the globe are exploring new and exciting applications for wood and wood products, underscoring its role not just as a traditional building material but as a key resource in the future of … Read More
Why a balanced approach leads to healthy forests
Forests play a critical role in our ecosystem, economy and quality of life. However, the misguided notion that the best way to preserving forests is leaving forestlands untouched is not only outdated but also potentially harmful. Actively managing forests to reduce wildfire severity is a long-held indigenous practice that has gained renewed support among individuals and organizations representing diverse interests, … Read More
We can reduce catastrophic wildfires
Fire, drought, insect infestations, disease outbreaks and weather-related disturbances have always been a part of the natural forest cycle. It’s true fire can be beneficial in maintaining a healthy balance in forests by lowering the accumulation of fuel levels and allowing for ample space for trees to grow. Yet the destructive fires that have dominated news headlines the past several … Read More
Lawmakers provide tools to help forest landowners address illegal dumping
Private forest landowners in Washington state are proud of their contributions to the local, rural communities where they operate. In addition to protecting watersheds, providing habitat for fish and wildlife, and providing well-paying rural jobs, private landowners offer hundreds of thousands of acres of open land for public recreation. Private forestlands provide access to hunting, fishing, birding, hiking, biking, horseback … Read More
Statement from Washington Forest Protection Association Executive Director Jason Spadaro
Statement from Washington Forest Protection Association Executive Director Jason Spadaro in response The Seattle Times’ story on Washington State’s fish passage program: “Washington’s sustainably managed working forests have long led the way in salmon recovery efforts, balancing societal and wildlife habitat needs. As what is quite possibly the most successful model of landscape conservation in Washington state, the Forests and … Read More
Saying goodbye to Maurice Williamson
The forestry sector lost a beloved steward, friend and trusted voice last week. Former small forest landowners champion and forestry elder statesman, Maurice Williamson, passed away on Sunday, March 3rd. He was 77 years old. Though born and raised in northeast Missouri, Maurice spent more than a half century (53 years) in Washington state as a professional forester and … Read More
AFRC Submits Comments on Northwest Forest Plan, National Old Growth Amendments
February 2, 2024 The American Forest Resource Council (AFRC) today submitted formal comments to the U.S. Forest Service on amending the 30-year-old Northwest Forest Plan (NWFP) governing the management of 17 national forests and over 24 million acres in Northern California, Oregon, and Washington. Separately, AFRC submitted formal comments in response to the Forest Service’s Notice of Intent that proposes … Read More
2024 Legislative Session reaches significant milestone
The 2024 legislative session is nearly at the halfway point. As the case with all legislative sessions happening during even numbered years, this year’s convening will be a shorter 60-day session with the final day of session March 7th. This means lawmakers had less time to advance their policy bills with the committee cutoff on January 31st. This also will … Read More
Expanding Our Scope: Working Forest Carbon Blueprint Unveils Comprehensive Strategy for Carbon Management and Sustainable Forestry
OLYMPIA, Wash. – The Washington Forest Protection Association (WFPA) proudly announces the Working Forest Carbon Blueprint website launch. This comprehensive resource extends beyond the use of wood in construction to encompass a broader range of carbon forestry issues. This initiative represents a collaborative effort among industry leaders, including the Washington Farm Forestry Association, Washington Friends of Farms & Forests, American … Read More
WFPA highlights benefits healthy, working forests provide at Annual Meeting
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – November 17, 2023 Contact: Cindy Mitchell, 360-791-9372 WFPA highlights benefits healthy, working forests provide at Annual Meeting Washington Forest Protection Association (WFPA) members and forestry sector partners convened Thursday (November 16th) at the Indian Summer Golf & Country Club for the 2023 annual meeting. WFPA, the trade association for the state’s private forest landowners, is a … Read More
WFPA’s John Ehrenreich named Society of American Foresters Fellow
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 27, 2023 Contact: Cindy Mitchell, (360) 791-9372, CMitchell@wfpa.org WFPA’s John Ehrenreich named Society of American Foresters Fellow Washington DC – A national organization representing forestry professionals is honoring a respected industry voice in Washington state. The Society of American Foresters (SAF) has named John H. Ehrenreich Jr. of the Washington Forest Protection Association a 2023 SAF … Read More
Washington residents support active forest management
An overwhelming majority of Washington residents back the forestry sector and working forests. That’s according to a recent poll that found most Washington voters – 89% – throughout all four corners of the state saying they support forest management to promote thriving, healthy forests. Forest management refers to efforts taken by the forest products sector to sustainably grow, harvest, replant … Read More
Wildfire smoke draws attention to importance of forest management
Forest fires and wildfire smoke were on the minds of many last week as smoke blanketed every corner of Washington state, making national news and dominating local news headlines. But as firefighters work to contain the multiple large fires on both sides of the Cascades, one thing is painfully clear, unmanaged forests are amplifying an already challenging – and dangerous … Read More
Forest management reduces wildfire risk
An overwhelming majority of people (83%) say forest management reduces wildfire risk and support it as a means of preventing them. That’s according to a recent poll that finds people are increasingly recognizing the critical role sustainable forestry practices and working forests play in maintaining forest health to help protect against catastrophic wildfires. Research and practical application consistently demonstrate active … Read More
Engaging private landowners, stakeholders key to good policymaking
The Washington State Legislature concluded its work over the weekend, wrapping up the 2023 session Sunday. There were the usual complement of high-profile policy bills and budget decisions. But as usual, there were also a slew of simple, good bills that quietly made their made through the session with bipartisan support relatively unnoticed. It is in these batch of bills where … Read More
Managed Forests and Wood Products: A climate solution
A recently released fact sheet created by the American Forest Resource Council succinctly summarizes how and why working forests and the wood products sector benefit the climate. Sustainably managed forests and durable wood products provide a critical climate mitigation benefit. That’s because wood products store carbon. And, if used in place of more energy and carbon intensive building materials like … Read More
AFRC responds to Biden Administration report on mature and old-growth forests
American Forest Resource Council president Travis Joseph responded to the Biden Administration’s announcement on policies relating to mature and old-growth forests on federal lands in a news release. Said Joseph in response to the Biden Administration’s announcement: “This announcement and year-long effort confirms what we’ve known: we’re not lacking old growth, we’re lacking common sense in stewarding our forests. Our … Read More
Defining Mature and Old Growth
The Society of American Foresters released an informative fact sheet defining mature and old-growth forests and the importance of applying science-based policies as the Biden Administration works to define, identify and inventory mature and old-growth forests. The fact sheet also underscores that protecting old-growth forests includes promoting forest health to prevent loss from severe wildfire and other forest stressors. After all, … Read More
Working forests critical to addressing climate change
The Whatcom County Forestry Advisory Committee invited researcher Dr. Edie Sonne Hall of Three Trees Consulting to speak at their April meeting and share her insights on how forest management mitigates climate change. The topic is timely as communities, governments and policymakers search for ways to reduce the amount of CO2 gas in our atmosphere to lessen the impacts of … Read More