The 2021 Washington legislative session wrapped up in late April after an historic 105 fully virtual days. The session began promising restraint and a focus on only a handful of policy issues. Indeed, the total bill count was lower than any session since the 1980’s. That said, many of the bills that did pass contained monumental and long sought-after policy … Read More
Addressing climate change requires working forests
Sustainably managed working forests sequester a lot of carbon. How much you ask? For the first time, Rayonier has released a report that provides a clear accounting of just how much of its own sustainable forestry business has helped remove CO2 gas from the atmosphere. According to the report, Rayonier’s measured timberland assets sequestered an estimated 5.7 million metric tons … Read More
Japan, Washington state say forestry sector has role in climate action
The forestry and wood products sectors have an important part to play in facilitating climate action today and into the future, according to panel of speakers at a virtual event last week. The Consulate General of Japan in Seattle hosted a webinar in partnership with the Washington State Department of Commerce, the Forest Agency of Japan and JETRO San Francisco … Read More
A look at forest carbon from young versus old forests
Is age just a number when it comes to trees? If we’re talking about how trees within working forests help address climate change, the answer is ‘no,’ according to the National Council for Air and Stream Improvement (NCASI). The NCASI, an organization dedicated to helping the forest products industry achieve its environmental and sustainability goals, created an infographic explaining how … Read More
2020 Year in Review: Five headlines underscore the importance of working forests
The Forestry sector can help address climate change: Sustainably managed working forests and the forestry sector as a whole is an important part of the state’s response to climate change, according to Washington state lawmakers, state agencies and 48 nationally recognized environmental and business leaders. During the 2020 legislative session, the Washington State Legislature passed and Gov. Jay Inslee signed … Read More
Private working forests help mitigate climate change
Forest landowners and wood products manufacturers across the United States are well-positioned to optimize the carbon potential of sustainable working forests. Leaders from 48 environmental, conservation and forest business leaders across the country recognize that private working forests and forest products can play an important role in mitigating climate change. Among the signatories are Washington Forest Protection Association members Green … Read More
Report names forestry sector as part of Washington’s green economy
Forestry is a vital component of Washington state’s green economy and climate change response, according to a state report that analyzed ways to connect that state’s greenhouse gas emission targets with economic development. The Washington State Department of Commerce and its Green Economy Work Group published a report this summer identifying forestry and building materials, energy, agriculture and water as … 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
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
State Senate considers recognizing the timber industry as a carbon sequester
Olympia lawmakers are considering legislation that would distinguish the wood products and timber industry as a vital part of Washington state’s global climate response. The Senate Ways & Means Committee held a public hearing on Substitution Senate Bill 6355 earlier this week on Monday and an executive session the following day to hear about the unique role the forest products … Read More
Forest products sector can help mitigate climate change
A tree’s ability to capture and store carbon long-term throughout the life of the tree and in wood products can be a significant contributor to our state’s climate change mitigation solutions. In Washington, we are blessed with one of the best places in the world to grow and harvest trees, and manufacture carbon-storing wood products, which all support more than … Read More
Washington Legislature recognizing working forests’ role in curbing climate change
The 2020 Washington State Legislature began this week and the issue of climate change will be on the minds of lawmakers throughout the 60-day session. To that end, several legislators in the House and Senate are recognizing that the state’s forest products sector has a part to play in the effort to address climate change. Washington forests and wood products … Read More
Embracing wood in design and construction
Port Angeles arts enthusiasts last month celebrated the groundbreaking of Field Hall – a premier arts and culture venue that is scheduled to open in 2021 and will serve as home to area arts organizations like the Port Angeles Symphony Orchestra, Port Angeles Community Players and Port Angeles Fine Arts Center. Throughout the design process, Field Hall supporters envisioned creating … Read More
111th WFPA Annual Meeting: Grow more trees, use more wood
Working forests and a robust wood products industry are a natural answer to reducing carbon emissions. Researchers, private forestland owners and policymakers attending the Washington Forest Protection Association’s (WFPA) 111th annual meeting met in Olympia this week to discuss the critical function private forestland owners play in the state’s economy, way of life and environmental stewardship. This year, more than 120 … Read More
National Forest Products Week underscores the vital role of working forests
Since 1960, Congress has designated the third week of October as National Forest Products Week. For 59 years, National Forest Products Week has helped to draw attention to the importance of our nation’s forest products industry and reflect on how responsibly managed forests contribute to our wellbeing, economy and quality of life. The focus on forest products has increased in … Read More
Working forests, timber products provide a solution to reducing greenhouse gases
More people are recognizing the important role the forestry and timber industries play in addressing global warming concerns and improving air quality. It’s well known that trees sequester carbon dioxide gas and release oxygen into the air and that in working forests the process of planting, harvesting and replanting trees effectively removes and stores the earth-warming CO2 gas from our … Read More