More than 25 years ago, Washington state took a historic step toward balancing environmental stewardship with economic vitality through the bipartisan Forests & Fish Law. Forged by legislators from both sides of the aisle – including then-Senator Debbie Regala (D-Tacoma) and then-State Representative Jim Buck (R-Joyce) – the law was built in collaboration, compromise, and an assurance of ongoing scientific ... Read More The post Adopting forest policy requires science and collaboration ap...| Washington Forest Protection Association
A new University of Washington study has measured the impact of Olympia’s proposal to expand streamside buffers along non-fish-bearing perennial (Type Np) streams in western Washington. The findings show steep losses for forest landowners, mills, and rural communities. Water temperatures remain cool, well below salmon-safe temperatures, but the cost is high. How the Study Was Done Researchers used: 2019 Washington ... Read More| Washington Forest Protection Association
Wood is experiencing a revival in architecture and construction – and it’s not just about aesthetics or nostalgia. Thanks to groundbreaking research, a desire for more sustainable living, and innovative wood products, traditional wood and mass timber are redefining how we design, build, and inhabit our built environment. As evidence with its 2025 Wood in Architecture Awards, the Wood Products ... Read More| Washington Forest Protection Association
More than a dozen different wood products companies throughout the country, including Colville-based Vaagen Timbers, have come together in support of a national museum dedicated to forests and forest conservation. The National Conservation Legacy Center, part of the National Museum of Forest Service History, is under construction. Slated to open in summer 2026, the structure is turning heads with a ... Read More| Washington Forest Protection Association
On June 6, 2025, the Washington Forest Practices Board (FPB) took a consequential vote that will reshape how water is classified and protected under the state’s Forest Practices Rules. The Board adopted a new Water Typing System rule and an associated Board Manual section (BM 23), marking the culmination of years of debate, modeling, and negotiation over how best to ... Read More| Washington Forest Protection Association
A “doozy,” “challenging,” “difficult,” and “at times contentious” were among the words Olympia lawmakers, insiders and journalists used to describe the 2025 Washington state legislative session. Legislators and a new administration began the 105-day session knowing that compromise, debate and tough decisions would be needed to pass a budget in the face of a projected $15 billion budget shortfall. The ... Read More| Washington Forest Protection Association
Riparian Buffer Rules and Water Temperature Introduction: The application of science in environmental policy is crucial for ensuring the delicate balance between ecological preservation and economic activities. In the context of riparian buffer rules, the Department of Ecology’s (Ecology) temperature criteria for salmon streams have been under scrutiny, with scientific studies suggesting that current forest practices effectively maintain suitable water ... Read More The post Science Shows F...| Washington Forest Protection Association
Olympia, WA. – Washington state’s forestry sector leaders gathered Thursday (November 21st) for the 2024 Annual Washington Forest Protection Association (WFPA) annual meeting. WFPA, the trade association representing the interests of the state’s private forest landowners for 116 years, is a trusted authority on sustainable forestry practices and a leading voice on the important role private forest landowners play in ... Read More The post 2024 WFPA Annual Meeting and Video Links to Pane...| Washington Forest Protection Association
By Washington Forest Protection Association Produced by ST Content Studio Fire has always played a significant role in Pacific Northwest forests. Fire in the Cascades, historically sparked by lightning strikes, led to a natural succession that cleared debris on the forest floor, eliminated old and weaker individual trees, provided room for new plant growth, and, in the case of ponderosa pines, ... Read More The post How Forest Management Helps Reduce Wildfire Risk appeared first on Washing...| Washington Forest Protection Association
University of Washington College of Built Environments architecture students took their skills beyond the classroom, designing and constructing unique benches throughout the Seattle campus. The project, which combined practical design experience with enhancing the campus environment, resulted in functional and visually engaging seating areas made of wood sourced from Washington timber suppliers. Sustainable Forestry Initiative Implementation Committee (SIC) generously provided ... Read More T...| Washington Forest Protection Association
Wood and forest products have long been appreciated as a versatile and sustainable material. But recent innovations are pushing the boundaries of its potential even further. Researchers around the globe are exploring new and exciting applications for wood and wood products, underscoring its role not just as a traditional building material but as a key resource in the future of ... Read More The post Scientists explore cutting-edge applications for wood appeared first on Washington Forest Prot...| Washington Forest Protection Association
Forests play a critical role in our ecosystem, economy and quality of life. However, the misguided notion that the best way to preserving forests is leaving forestlands untouched is not only outdated but also potentially harmful. Actively managing forests to reduce wildfire severity is a long-held indigenous practice that has gained renewed support among individuals and organizations representing diverse interests, ... Read More The post Why a balanced approach leads to healthy forests appear...| Washington Forest Protection Association
Fire, drought, insect infestations, disease outbreaks and weather-related disturbances have always been a part of the natural forest cycle. It’s true fire can be beneficial in maintaining a healthy balance in forests by lowering the accumulation of fuel levels and allowing for ample space for trees to grow. Yet the destructive fires that have dominated news headlines the past several ... Read More The post We can reduce catastrophic wildfires appeared first on Washington Forest Protection A...| Washington Forest Protection Association
Private forest landowners in Washington state are proud of their contributions to the local, rural communities where they operate. In addition to protecting watersheds, providing habitat for fish and wildlife, and providing well-paying rural jobs, private landowners offer hundreds of thousands of acres of open land for public recreation. Private forestlands provide access to hunting, fishing, birding, hiking, biking, horseback ... Read More The post Lawmakers provide tools to help forest land...| Washington Forest Protection Association
Washington State is one of the best places in the world to grow and harvest trees. The state has the highest percentage of land in the high-site productivity class, which leads to extremely high growth rates. A stand of intensively managed Douglas fir, for example, absorbs more than 9 metric tons of CO2 equivalents (CO2e) per acre at its peak ... Read More The post Working Forests help achieve Washington’s Climate Reduction Goals appeared first on Washington Forest Protection Association.| Washington Forest Protection Association
Voters support sustainable forest management and carbon benefits In a recent public opinion poll of greater Seattle voters in February 2024, results found that voters believe active forest management is important to maintain healthy forests. Key Findings: • 82% of voters believe active forest management, which includes commercial timber harvest, is important to maintain healthy forests. (February 2024) • 83% ... Read More The post Voters support sustainable forest management and carbon be...| Washington Forest Protection Association
Statement from Washington Forest Protection Association Executive Director Jason Spadaro in response The Seattle Times’ story on Washington State’s fish passage program: “Washington’s sustainably managed working forests have long led the way in salmon recovery efforts, balancing societal and wildlife habitat needs. As what is quite possibly the most successful model of landscape conservation in Washington state, the Forests and ... Read More The post Statement from Washington Forest P...| Washington Forest Protection Association
The forestry sector lost a beloved steward, friend and trusted voice last week. Former small forest landowners champion and forestry elder statesman, Maurice Williamson, passed away on Sunday, March 3rd. He was 77 years old. Though born and raised in northeast Missouri, Maurice spent more than a half century (53 years) in Washington state as a professional forester and ... Read More The post Saying goodbye to Maurice Williamson appeared first on Washington Forest Protection Association.| Washington Forest Protection Association
Navigating Forest Carbon Markets: A Guide for Landowners A recent peer-reviewed study was released as a guide for small landowners about forest carbon, offsets and markets conducted by Oregon, Washington, and Idaho State Universities. Forests play a crucial role in mitigating climate change by capturing and storing carbon dioxide. Forest carbon markets offer opportunities for landowners to manage their forests ... Read More The post Navigating Forest Carbon Markets: A Guide for Landowners app...| Washington Forest Protection Association
February 2, 2024 The American Forest Resource Council (AFRC) today submitted formal comments to the U.S. Forest Service on amending the 30-year-old Northwest Forest Plan (NWFP) governing the management of 17 national forests and over 24 million acres in Northern California, Oregon, and Washington. Separately, AFRC submitted formal comments in response to the Forest Service’s Notice of Intent that proposes ... Read More The post AFRC Submits Comments on Northwest Forest Plan, National Old Gr...| Washington Forest Protection Association
The 2024 legislative session is nearly at the halfway point. As the case with all legislative sessions happening during even numbered years, this year’s convening will be a shorter 60-day session with the final day of session March 7th. This means lawmakers had less time to advance their policy bills with the committee cutoff on January 31st. This also will ... Read More The post 2024 Legislative Session reaches significant milestone appeared first on Washington Forest Protection Association.| Washington Forest Protection Association
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 The post Labor and Management work together in the Forest appeared first on Wash...| Washington Forest Protection Association
OLYMPIA, Wash. – The Washington Forest Protection Association (WFPA) proudly announces the Working Forest Carbon Blueprint website launch. This comprehensive resource extends beyond the use of wood in construction to encompass a broader range of carbon forestry issues. This initiative represents a collaborative effort among industry leaders, including the Washington Farm Forestry Association, Washington Friends of Farms & Forests, American ... Read More The post Expanding Our Scope: Worki...| Washington Forest Protection Association
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 The post Working forests vital to jobs and mitigating climate chang...| Washington Forest Protection Association
Working Forests Carbon Blueprint Helps Meet State’s Carbon Reduction Goals NEWS PROVIDED BY Washington Forest Protection Association 11 Jan, 2024 Active forest management is key to mitigating climate change, and promoting forest health, visit workingforestscarbonblueprint.org. An online resource illustrating the critical role active forest management and wood products play in mitigating climate change is now available. Multiple forest management groups launched ... Read More The post Wor...| Washington Forest Protection Association
Striking a Balance: The Science Behind Riparian Buffer Rules for Cool Water and Fish Protection Forest practices play a crucial role in maintaining the delicate balance between economic productivity and environmental conservation, particularly concerning water quality and the well-being of salmon streams. Recent scientific studies, namely the Hardrock and Softrock Experimental Buffer Treatment Studies, have shed light on the efficacy ... Read More The post Striking a Balance Between Economic ...| Washington Forest Protection Association
2023 Forest Carbon Facts The post Get the Facts About Forest Management and Carbon appeared first on Washington Forest Protection Association.| Washington Forest Protection Association
The post Harvested Wood Stores Carbon for Decades appeared first on Washington Forest Protection Association.| Washington Forest Protection Association
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 The post 53% of Washington’s Forests are Protected, and many are dying appeared first on Washington Forest Prot...| Washington Forest Protection Association
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 The post Women help drive forestry industry forward appeared first on Was...| Washington Forest Protection Association
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – November 17, 2023 Contact: Cindy Mitchell, 360-791-9372 WFPA highlights benefits healthy, working forests provide at Annual Meeting Washington Forest Protection Association (WFPA) members and forestry sector partners convened Thursday (November 16th) at the Indian Summer Golf & Country Club for the 2023 annual meeting. WFPA, the trade association for the state’s private forest landowners, is a ... Read More The post WFPA highlights benefits healthy, working forests...| Washington Forest Protection Association
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 27, 2023 Contact: Cindy Mitchell, (360) 791-9372, CMitchell@wfpa.org WFPA’s John Ehrenreich named Society of American Foresters Fellow Washington DC – A national organization representing forestry professionals is honoring a respected industry voice in Washington state. The Society of American Foresters (SAF) has named John H. Ehrenreich Jr. of the Washington Forest Protection Association a 2023 SAF ... Read More The post WFPA’s John Ehrenreich named Societ...| Washington Forest Protection Association
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 The post Washington residents support active forest management appeared first o...| Washington Forest Protection Association
Have you ever wondered where your wood comes from? Check out the American Wood Council’s new wood sourcing tool here. The post Wood Sourcing Tool appeared first on Washington Forest Protection Association.| Washington Forest Protection Association
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 The post Wildfire smoke draws attention to importance of forest management appeared first on Washington Fore...| Washington Forest Protection Association
Wood and wood products are key to better carbon capture Aug. 25, 2023 at 9:00 am Updated Aug. 25, 2023 at 9:00 am By Washington Forest Protection Association Produced by ST Content Studio Washington state has set an ambitious goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 95% by 2050. The health of our forests will play a critical role in this reduction. ... Read More The post Carbon Stored in Wood Products Extends the Carbon Benefit appeared first on Washington Forest Protection Association.| Washington Forest Protection Association
An overwhelming majority of people (83%) say forest management reduces wildfire risk and support it as a means of preventing them. That’s according to a recent poll that finds people are increasingly recognizing the critical role sustainable forestry practices and working forests play in maintaining forest health to help protect against catastrophic wildfires. Research and practical application consistently demonstrate active ... Read More The post Forest management reduces wildfire risk ap...| Washington Forest Protection Association
MEDIA ALERT CONTACT: Cindy Mitchell, (360) 791-9372, CMitchell@wfpa.org Carbon Storage is Reduced in Unmanaged Forests Managed forests are a critical tool for fighting climate change and preventing catastrophic wildfires. OLYMPIA, Wash.,– Scientists are warning that U.S. forests are being destroyed by wildfire and losing their ability to absorb carbon as they become older, according to a new U.S. Department of Agriculture ... Read More The post Get the facts about forests and carbon appear...| Washington Forest Protection Association
New public opinion polling shows support for sustainable forest management and carbon benefits NEWS PROVIDED BY Washington Forest Protection Association 13 Jul, 2023, 11:54 ET MEDIA ALERT Contact: Cindy Mitchell, (360) 791-9372 CMitchell@wfpa.org Managed forests are a critical tool for fighting climate change and preventing catastrophic wildfires. Olympia, Wash. – A recent poll conducted among Washington state voters in June ... Read More The post New public opinion polling shows support ...| Washington Forest Protection Association
At the 125th anniversary celebration of the Society of American Foresters, Cindy Mitchell and Jason Spadaro of the Washington Forest Protection Association offered a reminder that forestry has always been a story of adaptation to forest policies that shape how working forests are managed. Cindy began by taking the audience back to WFPA’s roots when the 1902 catastrophic Yacolt Burn ... Read More The post Learning from the Past, Shaping the Future of Forest Policy appeared first on Washingto...| Washington Forest Protection Association
The 2025 Washington State Legislature adjourned on time on Sunday, April 28th – no small feat given the magnitude of challenges lawmakers faced during the 105-day legislative session. This year marked the first session since the Great Recession where the Legislature was forced to reckon with a multibillion-dollar budget shortfall – an estimated $15 billion gap – that required difficult ... Read More| Washington Forest Protection Association
The Washington State Senate unanimously adopted Senate Resolution 8633, recognizing the profound impact of the state’s forestry sector and tens of thousands of workers who sustain it. As part of Washington Forest Products Day at the Legislature, the resolution offered a timely and meaningful tribute to an industry that is simultaneously rooted in tradition and continues to embrace innovation as ... Read More| Washington Forest Protection Association
It’s easy to presume that all legislative bodies are rife with partisanship. The recent headlines we see focus on high-profile conflicts, leaving the impression that cooperation and collegiality are in short supply. However, the reality is far different in the case of the Washington State Legislature. In fact, most bills that pass through the State Legislature are bipartisan measures aimed ... Read More| Washington Forest Protection Association
Washington’s forest practices regulations have evolved since the Forest Practices Act (FPA) was introduced in 1974. The goal of the FPA has been to ensure sustainable forest management that balances timber harvesting with the protection of the environment. Over the years, the state has refined its compliance efforts, shifting from addressing complaints to proactive monitoring, focused on both education and ... Read More The post Compliance Monitoring Report Shows Strong Performance in Washi...| Washington Forest Protection Association
Overview of Washington’s Forests Washington’s forests cover nearly half the state, offering a diverse landscape shaped by varying climates, tree species, and wildlife. These forests provide economic, social, and environmental benefits. Ownership is a mix of public (about two-thirds) and private lands, including federal, state, municipal, tribal, conservation, and private family forest lands. While Washington’s forests show healthy regeneration in ... Read More| Washington Forest Protection Association
What do Foresters do? Washington is one of the best places in the world to grow trees – see how foresters reduce catastrophic wildfire, and maximize wood products. The Riparian Zone: 60,000 miles of streams protected with more than 2 million acres of forests to protect cool, clean water for fish. Upland Wildlife: A wide range of upland wildlife, ... Read More The post No Time for a Forest Tour? Here are some videos to help. appeared first on Washington Forest Protection Association.| Washington Forest Protection Association
Follow Hilary Franz’s leadership on wildfire seattletimes.com/opinion/editorials/follow-hilary-franzs-leadership-on-wildfire January 17, 2025 Images of the unrelenting infernos ravaging Los Angeles are a potent reminder of the increasing threats wildfire poses to homes and human life, including in Washington state. Climate change has made fire seasons drier, longer and more dangerous, especially when paired with the overgrowth and undermanagement of natural lands. But ... Read More The post...| Washington Forest Protection Association
Significant leadership transitions and pressing budget challenges are expected to define the policymaking landscape as Washington state gears up for the 2025 legislative session. Some of these developments will be applicable to the forestry sector, which remains a cornerstone of Washington’s economy and way of life, with new agency directors and possibly shifting priorities. With Governor-elect Bob Ferguson set to ... Read More The post 2025 Legislative Session begins amid great change, bud...| Washington Forest Protection Association
A Pierce County tree farm has garnered top national honors for their sustainable practices and commitment to the exceptional care of their forests. Congratulations to Washington state’s Coburg Tree Farm, owned and operated by the Townsend family, for receiving the National Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year award for 2024. The Townsend family, recently recognized as the West Region Outstanding ... Read More| Washington Forest Protection Association
John H. Ehrenreich Jr. The Washington Forest Protection Association family lost a member of our team and friend last week with the unexpected passing of John H. Ehrenreich Jr. on November 20th. John joined WFPA in 1994 upon the encouragement of then Government Relations Director, Steve Gano – they were both Vandals, attending the University of Idaho in forestry programs. ... Read More| Washington Forest Protection Association
