WORKING FORESTS SUSTAIN WASHINGTON'S NATURAL ADVANTAGE

Support Working Forests

WORKING FORESTS SUSTAIN WASHINGTON'S NATURAL ADVANTAGE

Support Working Forests

Abundant working forests and lands — and thriving rural communities — keep us on the path to a sustainable, healthy future.

Abundant working forests and lands — and thriving rural communities — keep us on the path to a sustainable, healthy future.

We are stewards.

We work our lands sustainably – supporting climate & environmental benefits. Healthy forests provide crucial benefits for clean water, air quality, soil stabilization and biodiversity. Working forests also absorb and sequester carbon from the atmosphere, while wood products store carbon, helping us to mitigate and adapt to climate change.

Learn more.

We are stewards.

We work our lands sustainably – supporting climate & environmental benefits. Healthy forests provide crucial benefits for clean water, air quality, soil stabilization and biodiversity. Working forests also absorb and sequester carbon from the atmosphere, while wood products store carbon, helping us to mitigate and adapt to climate change.

Learn more.

We connect Washington’s innovation pipeline to rural communities.

Local working forests are at the heart of a new wave of discovery—supplying materials needed for advanced products.

Cleaner biofuel.  Advanced biodegradable packaging that helps the environment without failing consumers.  Cross-laminated timber to replace concrete and steel with renewable, carbon friendly wood.  We could go on. 

Researchers at Washington’s universities — never more a day’s drive from where forest materials are grown — can be a step ahead in making discoveries that will enable cities and towns to thrive responsibly.  Knowledge and economic opportunities increase along the way.

Learn more.

We connect Washington’s innovation pipeline to rural communities.

Local working forests are at the heart of a new wave of discovery—supplying materials needed for advanced products.

Cleaner biofuel.  Advanced biodegradable packaging that helps the environment without failing consumers.  Cross-laminated timber to replace concrete and steel with renewable, carbon friendly wood.  We could go on. 

Researchers at Washington’s universities — never more a day’s drive from where forest materials are grown — can be a step ahead in making discoveries that will enable cities and towns to thrive responsibly.  Knowledge and economic opportunities increase along the way.

Learn more.

We are supporting the state and local economy and an essential way of life—respecting cultures and traditions of every community.

We contribute significantly to the local and state economy through job creation, generating revenue for essential local services like schools, roads, and emergency services, and by supporting communities – particularly the cultural traditions and lifestyles of rural communities. Sustainable management ensures these economic benefits are maintained without degrading the natural resources. The work done managing these lands is integral to the cultural identity of many communities.

Learn more.

We are supporting the state and local economy and an essential way of life—respecting cultures and traditions of every community.

We contribute significantly to the local and state economy through job creation, generating revenue for essential local services like schools, roads, and emergency services, and by supporting communities – particularly the cultural traditions and lifestyles of rural communities. Sustainable management ensures these economic benefits are maintained without degrading the natural resources. The work done managing these lands is integral to the cultural identity of many communities.

Learn more.

Know the facts about managed forests in Washington State.​

Managed forests are healthier and less likely to burn

Studies show that managed forests are healthier and less likely to burn than unmanaged forests. Sustainable forest management practices prevent catastrophic wildfires by keeping forests healthy and removing damaged trees and excess underbrush that spread fires.

Unmanaged forests are 2 times more vulnerable to catastrophic wildfire.

Managed forests are a greater climate benefit than unmanaged forests

Science shows that managed forests provide a greater climate benefit than unmanaged forests because they absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere nearly twice as fast per acre than unmanaged forests.

In fact, Washington’s managed forests and wood products offset our state’s carbon footprint by 35%. This can be an important tool in fighting climate change.

Managed forests absorb CO2 from the atmosphere nearly twice as fast as unmanaged forests.

More than half of Washington forest lands are restricted from management

Unmanaged forests allow drier conditions, disease and insects to weaken trees, contributing to catastrophic wildfires.  These wildfires not only devastate our forests and cause severe air quality problems, they also contribute to climate change by releasing millions of tons of stored carbon into the atmosphere.  Actively managing our forests through sustainable harvesting is an important part of fighting climate change.

Unmanaged forests are 2 times more likely to produce dead or decaying trees which emit carbon.

In 2015, the year of the Carlton Complex Fire, wildfires in Washington state emitted nearly 18 million metric tons CO2e–only the transportation sector emitted more.

Know the facts about managed forests in Washington State.​

Managed forests are healthier and less likely to burn

Studies show that managed forests are healthier and less likely to burn than unmanaged forests. Sustainable forest management practices prevent catastrophic wildfires by keeping forests healthy and removing damaged trees and excess underbrush that spread fires.

Unmanaged forests are 2 times more vulnerable to catastrophic wildfire.

Managed forests are a greater climate benefit than unmanaged forests

Science shows that managed forests provide a greater climate benefit than unmanaged forests because they absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere nearly twice as fast per acre than unmanaged forests.

In fact, Washington’s managed forests and wood products offset our state’s carbon footprint by 35%. This can be an important tool in fighting climate change.

Managed forests absorb CO2 from the atmosphere nearly twice as fast as unmanaged forests.

More than half of Washington forest lands are restricted from management

Unmanaged forests allow drier conditions, disease and insects to weaken trees, contributing to catastrophic wildfires.  These wildfires not only devastate our forests and cause severe air quality problems, they also contribute to climate change by releasing millions of tons of stored carbon into the atmosphere.  Actively managing our forests through sustainable harvesting is an important part of fighting climate change.

Unmanaged forests are 2 times more likely to produce dead or decaying trees which emit carbon.

In 2015, the year of the Carlton Complex Fire, wildfires in Washington state emitted nearly 18 million metric tons CO2e–only the transportation sector emitted more.

Managed forests are a critical tool for fighting climate change and preventing catastrophic wildfire.

Add Your Name to Support Working Forests

Managed forests are a critical tool for fighting climate change and preventing catastrophic wildfire.

Add Your Name to Support Working Forests

© 2024 Washington Forest Protection Association