Washington residents support active forest management

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

USDA Forest Service and National Alliance of Forest Owners agree to enhance cooperation during wildfires

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MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING FORMALIZES PARTNERSHIP TO ENHANCE CROSS-BOUNDARY WILDFIRE SUPPRESSION EFFORTS Washington, DC – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service and the National Alliance of Forest Owners (NAFO) announced today a memorandum of understanding creating a partnership to enhance cooperation between private working forest owners and public land managers during wildfires. Federal, state and private forest owners and managers … Read More

Commentary: Keep state’s working forests in climate change fight

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Washington Forest Protection Association executive director Jason Spadaro and American Forest Resource Council president Travis Joseph authored an op-ed in the Daily Herald urging the state to keep working forests working, including state trust lands. Shutting down working forests undermines the state’s ambitious goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and providing green building materials while promoting forest health. You can read … Read More