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
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
National Forest Products Week reminds us that wood is good for the environment
Every third week of October, the United States celebrates National Forest Products Week. Forest Products Week provides an opportunity for us all to recognize our nation’s forestry sector and reflect on how working forests benefit our economy, the environment and quality of life. The forestry sector is special because it provides numerous essential products made from a sustainably sourced, renewable … Read More
Rural Democrats make a case for balanced natural resources policies
A proposal by two former public officials to end timber harvests on state trust lands managed by the Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has drawn swift criticism from a current lawmaker, former Democratic state legislator and others. State Sen. Kevin Van De Wege (D-24th) and former State Rep. Brian Blake (D-19th) both penned op-eds in different print publications criticizing … Read More
HB 1055 offers a glimpse into bipartisanship
Just reading headline stories can leave the impression that legislative bodies are nothing but gridlock and partisan squabbling. The reality, however, is that most measures that pass through a legislature are good government bipartisan bills that achieve near-unanimous support. The Washington Legislature is no exception. A prime example of this comes from the forestry world and the lone WFPA-requested bill: HB … 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
National Forest Products Week focuses on supply chain
The third week in the month of October marks National Forest Products Week, which aims to highlight the value of forest products and the vital role wood products play in every US resident’s life. This year, a renewed appreciation for paper products and the importance of maintaining the forest products supply chain was brought to light during the early days … 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
Darrington Wood Innovation Center could bring jobs, economic opportunity
Cutting-edge timber products may soon be synonymous with a community in north Snohomish County. The Town of Darrington announced last month plans to develop the Darrington Wood Innovation Center, a state-of-the-art commercial campus that aims to house and attract new wood fiber-based materials and manufacturing companies. The planned 100-acre Wood Innovation Center campus in northeast Darrington is made possible with … Read More
Resources for homeschooling parents
Above: Before the Coronavirus and social distancing, Port Blakely environmental education coordinator Kelly Stanley led students on a field trip. Port Blakely has partnered with Washington state schools to provide outdoor learning opportunities for 29 years. This photo was taken earlier when Port Blakely was offering tours prior to the Stay Home, Stay Healthy order. Enjoy some of the artwork … 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
Forest products, workers are a part of critical infrastructure
(Above: Sierra Pacific Industries’ state-of-the-art mill in Shelton.) The forest products industry plays a vital role in our nation’s infrastructure – especially in response to the global COVID-19 epidemic, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced in a memorandum this week. The DHS memo, signed by Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Director Christopher Krebs, underscored that because the forestry industry … 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
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
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
Airline industry eyes efforts to convert wood waste into aviation fuel
Air travel has long been identified as a carbon-intensive activity. This is especially so in the Pacific Northwest where Washington state residents generally travel greater distances to and from other major US cities. But the Port of Seattle and corporations like Alaska Airlines, The Boeing Company and Delta Air Lines are hoping to lower air travel’s carbon footprint – and … 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
Working forests, wood products key to removing CO2 and storing carbon
The essential role trees play in removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere is well documented. But as we – researchers, consumers, businesses, environmental advocates and government agencies – continue to collectively search for sustainable solutions to global warming, we are learning and better understanding how working forests and wood products are integral to mitigating against carbon emissions. Working forests, which … Read More