DNR Releases Forest Action Plan Describing Future Of WA's Forests

WASHINGTON — The Washington State Department of Natural Resources has released their 2020 Forest Action Plan, outlining their priorities for the state's forests over the next decade.

“From climate change and catastrophic wildfires, to invasive species, to increasing development, our forests face unprecedented threats that require bold action," said Hilary Franz, Commissioner of Public Lands and head of the DNR. "The Forest Action Plan is a critical tool to unify around a common vision and getting to work saving forests across our state."

The plan includes more than 100 "priority actions," places where the state has the best chances to successfully invest in forest growth and restoration. Among those, are 16 priority watersheds in western Washington, including forests in Skagit, Middle Snohomish, and Nisqually regions.

Forest action plans were created by the 2008 Farm Bill, which required each state to submit their own plan to U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service in 2010 and update it every 10 years.

“This plan will serve as a roadmap for targeting collective investments in forest health and will drive prioritization of work for our agencies across our shared landscape,” said Glenn Casamassa, Pacific Northwest Regional Forester with the Forest Service.

The DNR says each forest action plan is designed to acheive three conservation goals:

1. Conserving and managing forest landscapes
2. Protecting forests from threats
3. Enhancing public benefit from trees and forests

“Keeping Washington’s forests healthy, productive and growing provide benefits to us all – trees that sequester carbon, forests that provide fish and wildlife habitat, and local jobs to manufacture renewable wood products,” said Mark Doumit, executive director of the Washington Forest Protection Association.

By submitting the 2020 plan, the state qualifies to receive federal funding to support conservation efforts over the next decade. Thanks to the 2010 forestry action plan, the Department of Natural Resources received over $50 million for forestry programs.

Other priority actions outlined in the document include:

• Better preparing western Washington for wildfires by researching current fire patterns to understand future wildfires.
• Safeguarding against drought by developing mitigation strategies.
• Protecting fish and wildlife by developing incentives to protect rare or high quality habitats.
• Cutting down on wildfire fuels in eastern Washington forests.
  • This includes plans to conduct 1.25 million acres of forest restoration in watersheds by 2037.
• Increase the amount of controlled restoration burns.
• Connect fish and wildlife habitats, expanding on groundwork laid by the Washington Connected Landscapes Project.
• Conserve critical forests from development.
• Promote more urban forests and support environmental justice.

Find the full, 128-page 2020 Forest Action Plan on the Department of Natural Resources' website.