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
A Diversity of Forest Land Owners are Keeping Forests Healthy
It takes a network of people to keep forests healthy By Washington Forest Protection Association Keeping our forests healthy and resilient to wildfire requires a network of dedicated people — including foresters, loggers, truck drivers, biologists, conservationists, mill manufacturers and energy workers who convert forest residuals into biofuels. Washington’s diversity of land managers from public, private, state, tribal and federal agencies keep … Read More
Study shows forest practices protect core salmon temperatures in forested streams
A recently released decade-long study looking at several aspects of water quality, including temperature and sediment, show that current forest practices rules as outlined in the Forests & Fish Law are protective of fish. Beginning in 2007, the study measured temperature, sediment and other parameters of water quality two years before a harvest on forestland that is home to non-fish … Read More
Forests & Fish Law celebrates 22 years
Pacific salmon and the pristine, fresh waterways they inhabit have long been integral to the Pacific Northwest’s identity. That is why when salmon populations began to decline, governments, agencies, private forestland owners and other stakeholders came together to find a solution that would protect salmon habitat and aid in the iconic fish’s recovery. This year marks 22 years since the … Read More
Western red cedar planted on West Capitol Campus honors Mark Doumit
Former Washington Forest Protection Association (WFPA) executive director and Washington State legislator Mark Doumit was quoted as saying: “It’s an act of faith when a farmer, a tree farmer, plants a tree.” Doumit, a former small tree farmer and state legislator, served in the Washington State Legislature from 1997 through 2006, where he served three terms as a state representative … Read More
Biennial Salmon Recovery Conference goes virtual
Even though the 8th biennial Salmon Recovery Conference will be online this year, coming together for the sake of restoring salmon populations remains the focus as people convene remotely. The Salmon Recovery Conference, which happens ever odd numbered year, provides an opportunity for stakeholders – government agencies, tribal governments, private forest landowners, environmentalists, recreational fishermen, scientists and others – to … Read More
State Compliance Monitoring Report shows private forestland owners’ commitment to forest practice rules
Private forestland owners continue to have excellent compliance with state forest practice rules, according to a new report from the Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR). With forest landowners between 92 – 100 % in compliance with state rules in their timber harvests and forest road construction, the 2018-2019 Biennium Forest Practices Compliance Monitoring Report indicated some of the highest compliance … Read More
Hancock Forest Management celebrates completion of major aquatic restoration projects
Coho salmon, steelhead, trout, and other native Pacific Northwest fish are reaching new stretches of the Clatskanie River and its tributaries, thanks to recent efforts by Hancock Forest Management, a Manulife Investment Management company, in cooperation with the Columbia Soil and Water Conservation District. The projects were identified in the Lower Columbia River Partnership developed through the Regional Conservation Partnership … Read More
Working forests vital to healthy waterways
Well managed forestlands play a vital role in maintaining water quality and supporting biodiversity, and a Snohomish County program that assesses local waterway health is underscoring just that. A Snohomish County State of Our Waters report identified the Olney Creek waterway, which is surrounded primarily by public and private working forested lands in the Gold Bar area, as “excellent” for … 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
2019 legislative session results overall good for forestland owners
The 2019 legislative session wrapped up with a flurry of activity during the final days of the session. Around-the-clock legislating happened as lawmakers worked to conclude on time. A whopping 2,208 bills were introduced over the course of the 105-day session. Things moved fast; capacity was stretched thin. But from that hard work, groundbreaking new policies in environmental law, tax … Read More