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
Working forests lead the way
Washington’s working forests have long led the way on environmental stewardship and sustainability. Recognizing early on that working forests require resilient trees and a healthy environment, Washington’s private forestland owners have embraced the guiding principle of using the best available science to improve and evolve forest practices. The certainty that good science will lead the way has contributed to a … 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
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
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
Supporting family forests
Safeguarding our economy, environmental stewardship efforts and quality of life are dependent on family-owned forestlands, according to an opinion piece published in The Hill. Thomas Straka, a professor of forestry and environmental conservation at Clemson University in South Carolina, asserted that while much attention these days is focused on wildfires, policymakers also should be mindful of the critical role privately-owned … Read More
Working forest industry grows trees, jobs
Working forests play a vital role in supporting a healthy and diverse economy in our state, according to a 2017 study that looked at the contributions of Washington’s timber industry. Washington state is the nation’s second-largest lumber producer. Forestry represents Washington state’s third-largest manufacturing industry, providing jobs in all 39 counties and impacting a whole host of economic activities, including forestry, logging, … Read More
2019 Tree Farmer of the Year – Stewardship, love of trees motivates Lewis County Tree Farm
A family-run tree farm in Lewis County recently received high honors for its commitment to sustainable forest practices. The Washington Tree Farm Program named O’Neill Pine Company owners Debra and Richard Pine 2019 Tree Farmers of the Year at the annual Washington Farm and Forestry Association in May. O’Neill Pine Company’s overstory consists of Douglas fir and red alder. But in partnership … Read More