Washington’s forest practices regulations have evolved since the Forest Practices Act (FPA) was introduced in 1974. The goal of the FPA has been to ensure sustainable forest management that balances timber harvesting with the protection of the environment. Over the years, the state has refined its compliance efforts, shifting from addressing complaints to proactive monitoring, focused on both education and … Read More
The Connection Between Forest Management and Wildfire Mitigation
Overview of Washington’s Forests Washington’s forests cover nearly half the state, offering a diverse landscape shaped by varying climates, tree species, and wildlife. These forests provide economic, social, and environmental benefits. Ownership is a mix of public (about two-thirds) and private lands, including federal, state, municipal, tribal, conservation, and private family forest lands. While Washington’s forests show healthy regeneration in … Read More
No Time for a Forest Tour? Here are some videos to help.
What do Foresters do? Washington is one of the best places in the world to grow trees – see how foresters reduce catastrophic wildfire, and maximize wood products. The Riparian Zone: 60,000 miles of streams protected with more than 2 million acres of forests to protect cool, clean water for fish. Upland Wildlife: A wide range of upland wildlife, … Read More
Follow Hilary Franz’s leadership on wildfire: Seattle Times Editorial
seattletimes.com/opinion/editorials/follow-hilary-franzs-leadership-on-wildfire January 17, 2025 Images of the unrelenting infernos ravaging Los Angeles are a potent reminder of the increasing threats wildfire poses to homes and human life, including in Washington state. Climate change has made fire seasons drier, longer and more dangerous, especially when paired with the overgrowth and undermanagement of natural lands. But this state is far better safeguarded … Read More
Loss of a Teammate – John H. Ehrenreich, Jr.
John H. Ehrenreich Jr. The Washington Forest Protection Association family lost a member of our team and friend last week with the unexpected passing of John H. Ehrenreich Jr. on November 20th. John joined WFPA in 1994 upon the encouragement of then Government Relations Director, Steve Gano – they were both Vandals, attending the University of Idaho in forestry programs. … Read More
2024 WFPA Annual Meeting and Video Links to Panels
Olympia, WA. – Washington state’s forestry sector leaders gathered Thursday (November 21st) for the 2024 Annual Washington Forest Protection Association (WFPA) annual meeting. WFPA, the trade association representing the interests of the state’s private forest landowners for 116 years, is a trusted authority on sustainable forestry practices and a leading voice on the important role private forest landowners play in … Read More
How Forest Management Helps Reduce Wildfire Risk
By Washington Forest Protection Association Produced by ST Content Studio Fire has always played a significant role in Pacific Northwest forests. Fire in the Cascades, historically sparked by lightning strikes, led to a natural succession that cleared debris on the forest floor, eliminated old and weaker individual trees, provided room for new plant growth, and, in the case of ponderosa pines, … Read More
Working Forests help achieve Washington’s Climate Reduction Goals
Washington State is one of the best places in the world to grow and harvest trees. The state has the highest percentage of land in the high-site productivity class, which leads to extremely high growth rates. A stand of intensively managed Douglas fir, for example, absorbs more than 9 metric tons of CO2 equivalents (CO2e) per acre at its peak … Read More
Voters support sustainable forest management and carbon benefits
Voters support sustainable forest management and carbon benefits In a recent public opinion poll of greater Seattle voters in February 2024, results found that voters believe active forest management is important to maintain healthy forests. Key Findings: • 82% of voters believe active forest management, which includes commercial timber harvest, is important to maintain healthy forests. (February 2024) • 83% … Read More
Navigating Forest Carbon Markets: A Guide for Landowners
Navigating Forest Carbon Markets: A Guide for Landowners A recent peer-reviewed study was released as a guide for small landowners about forest carbon, offsets and markets conducted by Oregon, Washington, and Idaho State Universities. Forests play a crucial role in mitigating climate change by capturing and storing carbon dioxide. Forest carbon markets offer opportunities for landowners to manage their forests … Read More
Labor and Management work together in the Forest
Washington’s forest products industry is a cornerstone of the state’s economy, providing crucial support to rural communities and offering over 102,000 family wage jobs across all counties. These jobs contribute significantly to local economies, with the forest industry injecting $5.6 billion in wages and $300 million in taxes annually. However, the sustainability of these jobs is at risk due to … Read More
Working forests vital to jobs and mitigating climate change
Working forests vital to jobs and mitigating climate change Managed forests store more atmospheric carbon than federal lands, UW study finds Working forests are critical to addressing climate change, a University of Washington study finds. Research examining private, state and federal forests found sustainably managed working forests and the wood products they create play an important role in removing greenhouse … Read More
Working Forests Carbon Blueprint Helps Meet State’s Carbon Reduction Goalsts
Working Forests Carbon Blueprint Helps Meet State’s Carbon Reduction Goals NEWS PROVIDED BY Washington Forest Protection Association 11 Jan, 2024 Active forest management is key to mitigating climate change, and promoting forest health, visit workingforestscarbonblueprint.org. An online resource illustrating the critical role active forest management and wood products play in mitigating climate change is now available. Multiple forest management groups launched … Read More
Striking a Balance Between Economic Productivity and Water Quality
Striking a Balance: The Science Behind Riparian Buffer Rules for Cool Water and Fish Protection Forest practices play a crucial role in maintaining the delicate balance between economic productivity and environmental conservation, particularly concerning water quality and the well-being of salmon streams. Recent scientific studies, namely the Hardrock and Softrock Experimental Buffer Treatment Studies, have shed light on the efficacy … Read More
53% of Washington’s Forests are Protected, and many are dying
Washington’s forests are appreciated by us all, for their beauty, ecological values, jobs, recreation, and the forests and wood products they provide. We don’t often think about the health of our forests because they look so green from a distance. Those who recreate, hunt, live or work in forests, have a different vantage point, and can see when unmanaged forests … Read More
Women help drive forestry industry forward
Cinnamon Bear is an education forester with Manulife Forest Management in Orting, Washington. (Manulife Forest Management) By Washington Forest Protection Association Produced by ST Content Studio When Amelia Hermann recently started driving a 30,000-pound (when empty) wood chip truck at work, she was carrying on a three-generation family tradition. “A woman having this job is unusual, but not as unusual … Read More
Wood Sourcing Tool
Have you ever wondered where your wood comes from? Check out the American Wood Council’s new wood sourcing tool here.
Carbon Stored in Wood Products Extends the Carbon Benefit
Wood and wood products are key to better carbon capture Aug. 25, 2023 at 9:00 am Updated Aug. 25, 2023 at 9:00 am By Washington Forest Protection Association Produced by ST Content Studio Washington state has set an ambitious goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 95% by 2050. The health of our forests will play a critical role in this reduction. … Read More
Get the facts about forests and carbon
MEDIA ALERT CONTACT: Cindy Mitchell, (360) 791-9372, CMitchell@wfpa.org Carbon Storage is Reduced in Unmanaged Forests Managed forests are a critical tool for fighting climate change and preventing catastrophic wildfires. OLYMPIA, Wash.,– Scientists are warning that U.S. forests are being destroyed by wildfire and losing their ability to absorb carbon as they become older, according to a new U.S. Department of Agriculture … Read More
New public opinion polling shows support for sustainable forest management and carbon benefits
New public opinion polling shows support for sustainable forest management and carbon benefits NEWS PROVIDED BY Washington Forest Protection Association 13 Jul, 2023, 11:54 ET MEDIA ALERT Contact: Cindy Mitchell, (360) 791-9372 CMitchell@wfpa.org Managed forests are a critical tool for fighting climate change and preventing catastrophic wildfires. Olympia, Wash. – A recent poll conducted among Washington state voters in June … Read More
Voters Believe Managed Forests are a Key Part of Climate Mitigation
2023 public opinion research – forests and carbon 2023 public opinion research data source – forests and carbon
Online resource provides carbon blueprint for state’s working forests
New online resource provides carbon blueprint for state’s working forests NEWS PROVIDED BY Washington Forest Protection Association 12 Jul, 2023, 11:54 ET Active forest management is key to mitigating climate change, and promoting forest health, visit workingforestscarbonblueprint.org. OLYMPIA, Wash., July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — An online resource illustrating the critical role active forest management and wood products play in mitigating climate change is … Read More
