John,

Monday, The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced 2,000 acres of our public state forests will be conserved in perpetuity. This effort was funded by the Climate Commitment Act (CCA) to protect mature, structurally complex forests for their value in fighting climate change.  

Washington Conservation Action, along with partners Conservation Northwest and the Center for Responsible Forestry, fought fiercely in the 2023 legislative session to conserve these special forestlands. Our work resulted in $83 million dollars to set aside these 2,000 acres, as well as to purchase working timberlands to add to state lands, thus replacing the conserved forests.  

We are reviewing the details about whether the selected forestland achieves the intent of the initiative. What we can confidently say now is that we are excited by this milestone. It represents a new approach to managing our state lands for multiple benefits, not just timber revenue. We believe this effort could be a win for people, for the climate, for Washington’s unique forestlands, and for logging communities. 

This means that older forests can continue to grow generation after generation, providing critical habitat for wildlife, shading salmon streams, and storing planet-warming carbon in their wood, roots, leaves, and soils. At the same time, the replacement acres will provide livelihoods for working families in timber communities.  

Here's how that trade looks in detail: 

• Monday, the state Department of Natural Resources (DNR) identified 2,000 acres on state trust lands to set aside in perpetuity. DNR nominated forest trust lands in five counties, with the support of county councils: Jefferson (950 acres), Whatcom (650 acres), King (290 acres), Snohomish (70 acres) and Clallam (69 acres). They will never be logged commercially. 

• DNR’s pending acquisition of more than 9,000 acres of forestlands in Wahkiakum County makes this conservation possible. Almost 8,200 acres of the purchase will be funded with $47.8 million from CCA funds allocated in 2023. A portion of these acres will replace the 2,000 acres set aside.  

As the solstice and various winter celebrations approach, everyone experiences joy from the sight of ribbons of mist hanging from firs, or from snow falling on cedars. Trees are vital to the Evergreen state. Forests cover half of Washington. They are places of sacred ceremony, and of rest and restoration. They are also a vital part of our economy. It’s indeed a happy holiday, for people and for forests. 

None of this could have happened without the hard work of our environmental champions in the legislature, especially former Senator Christine Rolfes who worked tirelessly to get the $83 million into the budget–it’s why we named her our 2023 Legislator of the Year. Please take a moment to thank her for securing the funds that made this possible.

Onward,

Rachel Baker (she/her)
Forest Program Director
Washington Conservation Action