In a recent episode of the County Connection podcast hosted by Paul Jewell of the Washington State Association of Counties, Jason Spadaro, Executive Director of the Washington Forest Protection Association (WFPA), delivered a powerful message: Washington’s working forests are essential — not just for jobs and rural communities, but for climate, clean water, and future sustainability.Yet, Spadaro warns, these lands … Read More
Commissioner Upthegrove’s Set-Aside of Public Working Forests Threatens $300 Million in School and Community Revenues
The American Forest Resource Council (AFRC) today expressed concerns with Washington Commissioner of Public Lands Dave Upthegrove’s order to immediately set aside 10,300 acres of state trust lands from sustainable timber harvests, as part of an effort to “conserve” 77,000 acres of these working forests. “Removing these acres from sustainable harvest will mean less revenue for schools, fire districts, hospitals, … Read More
Big Losses Ahead from Washington’s Proposed Np Stream Buffer Rule
A new University of Washington study has measured the impact of Olympia’s proposal to expand streamside buffers along non-fish-bearing perennial (Type Np) streams in western Washington. The findings show steep losses for forest landowners, mills, and rural communities. Water temperatures remain cool, well below salmon-safe temperatures, but the cost is high. How the Study Was Done Researchers used: 2019 Washington … 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
Forest Tour – From Salmon, Water to Non-Fish Stream Protection
Journey through a working forest Take a tour through a working forest. Follow the salmon journey through the forest, identify fish and non-fish streams, learn the life cycle of a tree, discover riparian zones, and visit upland wildlife. Ch. 1 Salmon Journey Ch. 2 Fish/Non-Fish Stream Types Ch. 3 Road/Culvert Improvements Ch. 4 Riparian Zone Ch. 5 Upland Wildlife Ch. … Read More
A Turning Point in Washington’s Forest Policy: What the June 6 Vote on Water Typing Means for the Future
On June 6, 2025, the Washington Forest Practices Board (FPB) took a consequential vote that will reshape how water is classified and protected under the state’s Forest Practices Rules. The Board adopted a new Water Typing System rule and an associated Board Manual section (BM 23), marking the culmination of years of debate, modeling, and negotiation over how best to … Read More
Science Shows Forest Buffer Rules Are Working
Riparian Buffer Rules and Water Temperature Introduction: The application of science in environmental policy is crucial for ensuring the delicate balance between ecological preservation and economic activities. In the context of riparian buffer rules, the Department of Ecology’s (Ecology) temperature criteria for salmon streams have been under scrutiny, with scientific studies suggesting that current forest practices effectively maintain suitable water … Read More
Learning from the Past, Shaping the Future of Forest Policy
At the 125th anniversary celebration of the Society of American Foresters, Cindy Mitchell and Jason Spadaro of the Washington Forest Protection Association offered a reminder that forestry has always been a story of adaptation to forest policies that shape how working forests are managed. Cindy began by taking the audience back to WFPA’s roots when the 1902 catastrophic Yacolt Burn … Read More
Compliance Monitoring Report Shows Strong Performance in Washington’s Forest Practices
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
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
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.