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
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
2022 Year in Review
Washington’s private forest landowners continue to lead the way, and 2022 was no different. Whether it is applying the best science to support salmon recovery efforts or following proven-effective approaches to promote healthy, resilient forests, working forests demonstrate every day that they provide environmental, economic and societal benefits throughout the state. This is all happening while Washington’s foresters supply communities … Read More
114th WFPA Annual Meeting recognizes, celebrates working forests
Collaboration and building strong partnerships were the overarching themes at the 114th Washington Forest Protection Association (WFPA) Annual Meeting in Olympia. The meeting, which can be viewed on TVW in parts one and two, featured forestry sector leaders and elected officials recognizing the critical role Washington’s working foresters and private forest landowners play in the state’s economy, salmon recovery and … Read More
Late wildfire season underscores importance of forest management
The Washington State Department of Natural Resources reported the 2022 wildfire season to be the least destructive in a decade with just over 140,300 acres burned by October 7th. In addition to a dedicated firefighting crew and key partnerships with other agencies, Public Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz credited the passage of HB 1168 – passed unanimously by the Legislature in 2021 … Read More
Expect a higher-than-average wildfire season, experts predict
The upcoming wildfire season could yield higher than typical forest fire activity in parts of Washington state. The National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) anticipates an above-average wildfire season in eastern Washington due in large part to drought. While western Washington has experienced a wetter and cooler spring, it hasn’t been the case for eastern Washington. In fact, the NIFC noted … Read More
2021 Year in Review: A managed forest is a healthy forest
Scientific research shows that actively managed forests promote ecosystem health, contribute to air and water quality for people and wildlife, and improve habitat for the animals that make the forest their home. This past year, a great deal of policymaking and practices centered round a concept that foresters and private forest landowners have long adhered to – that a managed … 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
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
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
View of a working forester
Is a forest merely a collection of trees? The dictionary defines forests as a large area covered chiefly with trees and undergrowth. But at least in the case of working forests, there is much more than what a cursory glance or dictionary definition can convey. To help illustrate the complexities and thoughtful planning that is required of a working forest, … 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
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
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
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
Washington state family given national outstanding tree farmer of the year award for habitat restoration
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE WASHINGTON, D.C. (December 5, 2019) – Today, the American Tree Farm System awarded the New family of Bellingham, Washington the National Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year honor from among more than 73,000 certified Tree Farmers nationwide, thanks to their efforts to restore a portion of a critical watershed to help a threatened species in their state. … 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
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
Working forests, forest management key to reducing wildfires
Well managed timberlands and effective forestry practices are vital to reducing the dangers associated with catastrophic wildfires. The Everett Daily Herald published an op-ed authored by Rep. Tom Dent (R-Moses Lake) this week that urged us all to support evidence-based forest management strategies and to embrace opportunities to work in unison to lessen the impact of wildfires. Up until recently, … 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