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
2021 Tree Farmer of the Year – a love of the land and legacy of stewardship
A Lewis County tree farm received the highest praise and recognition for its active role in sustainable forest management and outreach efforts. The Washington Tree Farm Program acknowledged Chuck and Nan Higgins, owners of the Michigan Hill Tree Farm, as the 2021 Tree Farmer of the Year. Said Chuck and Nan in an email to The Chronicle: “We feel very … Read More
Managed forests are healthy forests
As wildfires throughout the West dominate local and national news headlines, a University of Washington analysis of western forest fires concludes that more than a century of fire exclusion has made forests more vulnerable to large-scale wildfires. The study contends the misguided notion that all forest fires were bad created “dense forests packed with excess trees and brush that ignite … Read More
State legislature approves funding to test benefits of biochar facility
Okanogan County could soon be the test site for a pilot project that aims to transform thinned trees, logging slash and other organic waste into a carbon-sequestering agricultural product while supporting forest health efforts. The Methow Valley News reports that the Washington state Legislature set aside $160,000 in funding in the biennium budget for a pilot project that would convert … Read More
Proposed legislation would dedicate resources to support wildfire response, forest health
Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz is urging the Washington State Legislature to commit dedicated state resources into wildfire prevention and forest health efforts. Last week, along with primary bill sponsor Rep. Larry Springer (D-Kirkland), Franz introduced legislation that would create an account to support wildfire response, forest restoration and community resilience efforts throughout the state. In addition to the … Read More
Op-ed urges lawmakers to invest, support forest health and wildfire plans
Unhealthy forests and climate change played a significant role in this year’s wildfires, but state lawmakers can help prevent the catastrophic damage and devastation from future massive wildfires, according to an opinion piece authored by leaders representing private forestland owners, the state Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and an environmental organization. In an op-ed penned by Washington Forest Protection Association … Read More
SDS Lumber Company, Columbia Land Trust announce conservation of 4,900 acres
Habitat supporting fish and wildlife along the Klickitat River Canyon in Yakima County will forever be preserved, due in large part to generous support from SDS Lumber Company and Columbia Land Trust. SDS Lumber Company and Columbia Land Trust recently announced that 4,900 acres would be added to the Klickitat Canyon Conservation Area. The recently conserved land, which the Columbia … Read More
Drones provide foresters a new perspective
The forestry industry has long integrated innovative approaches and new technology into its operations. After all, active forest management relies on the latest science and best practices to promote healthy, resilient forests. And just as active forest management is essential to practicing sustainable forestry, incorporating technology and new advances has helped foresters and working forests better manage their renewable resources. … Read More
WSU Extension Forestry offers free online forest health classes
Social distancing and stay-home orders won’t prevent the Washington State University Extension Forestry program from fulfilling its mission to educate and provide research-based information for small-forest landowners. WSU Extension Forestry has launched a series of online webinars and began offering the free classes in May. The one-hour sessions have been met with enthusiasm by both forestland owners and the general … 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
Prescribed burns, thinning increased forest resiliency during and after Carlton Complex fire, researchers say
Forested areas that had prescribed burns and tree thinning treatments in the Methow Valley in advance of the Carlton Complex fire experienced greater resiliency, according to a study published in Ecological Applications, the Ecological Society of America journal. A University of Washington news release reports that a joint study conducted by University of Washington and US Forest Service researchers found that … Read More
Wood products could turn urban areas into carbon sinks
Urban centers made primarily of sustainable, renewable wood products could be key to mitigating climate change and even function as carbon sinks, and Washington state and its working forests are helping to lead the charge. Vox recently reported that wood has become “the hottest new thing in sustainable building” and points to Washington state as a forerunner of mass timber … Read More
Modern-day forestry increasingly relies on technology, latest science
(Above: Sierra Pacific Industries’ state-of-the-art mill in Shelton.) The forestry industry of today is more complex and sophisticated than ever. Twenty-first-century foresters rely on expertise from a variety of scientific disciplines including dendrology, hydrology, biology and geology to study silviculture, wildlife, soils, insects, plants, disease and tree physiology when creating their forest management plans. In addition to science, the modern-day … 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
Environmentalists, loggers, policymakers say CLT a part of the response to climate change
Washington’s modern timber industry and early adoption of tall wood buildings have helped the state lead the nation in incorporating innovative wood products into the environmental stewardship movement. The recent opening of two mass timber factories in Colville and Spokane Valley underscores this. Working forests and all wood products continue to be a part of the carbon solution as trees … Read More
Drought, heat impacting several Washington native tree species
Less rainfall in the spring, drought conditions and hotter summers are impacting Washington’s native trees and forest health, says a joint agency report released earlier this year. In collaboration with state and federal agencies, the Washington State Department of Agriculture, Washington State Department of Natural Resources, US Department of Agriculture and US Forest Service published an assessment of private and … Read More
Promoting healthy, resilient forests in Washington’s most populous county
High-rise buildings, densely-zoned neighborhoods and traffic likely come to mind when you think of King County. With more than 2.2 million residents, it is by far Washington’s most populous county with cities like Seattle, Bellevue, Kent and Renton. But nestled among King County’s urban and suburban landscape is nearly 800,000 acres of publicly and privately-managed forested land. King County owns … Read More
Wildfire season threats loom even with wet start to summer
Wildfires remain a concern in Washington state in spite of rainy weather in recent days and less fire activity, say weather experts. The Seattle Times reports that even though July has been slightly wetter than normal, it’s not enough precipitation and moisture to impact the wildfire season overall. Said meteorologist Dana Felton: “It’s slowing things down, and we’ve seen a lot … Read More
Wildfire season provides opportunities for collaboration, cooperation
Wildfires have been synonymous with Eastern Washington summers for quite some time, said Rep. Tom Dent (R-Moses Lake) during a panel discussion last week at the Pacific Science Center (PacSci). “I can’t remember how long I’ve lived with smoke every summer,” Dent said. “It’s been probably about 30 years.” It was only a few years back that Washington residents thought of … Read More
New Forest Health Policies Directly Support Wildfire Response
The smoke that drifted into Western Washington last summer and obscured the Space Needle behind its cloak grabbed the attention of the metropolitan Puget Sound area. However, wildfires and forest health have been a high-profile legislative issue since the historic fire years in 2014 and 2015. This past session was no exception. A record-high amount of funding was provided to … Read More
State and federal agencies promise greater collaboration ahead of wildfire season
Washington residents and forestland owners can anticipate greater collaboration between state and federal agencies on forest health-related issues. USDA Forest Service Chief Vicki Christiansen, Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz, Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife Director Kelly Susewind and Regional Forester Glenn Casamassa signed a “Shared Stewardship” Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) this week that aims to improve the health and resiliency of forestlands for … Read More
Stressed trees underscore need for greater land management
Drought, hotter summers, disease and pests are stressing native tree species in Western Washington, according to scientists, King County agencies and conservationists. The Courier-Herald and other Sound Publishing newspapers reported that indigenous trees like Western hemlock and Douglas fir are struggling to thrive in Western Washington, increasing wildfire risks and impacting wildlife biodiversity. According to the story: Droughts have become hotter … Read More