Issaquah – Commissioner of Public Lands Dave Upthegrove Tuesday took action to conserve 77,000 acres of Washington’s state-owned forests.
In an event set amidst older forests on Tiger Mountain in King County, Upthegrove signed a Commissioner’s Order that conserves 77,000 acres of structurally complex forests, including all remaining older forests on state lands that have been managed, up until now, for timber, which total more than 10,000 acres.
“What we’re doing today is the largest forest conservation action in Washington in a generation. It will accelerate our progress on climate and habitat, goals, create room for innovation, and diversify revenue, while ensuring sustainable timber harvests continue elsewhere to support our schools and our counties. This is how we move forward responsibly. This is how we ensure a just transition that supports rural communities and leaves no one behind. This is a big step, but this is only the beginning. Today marks the start of a new era of forest management in Washington. An era where ecological and economic needs are not in conflict, but aligned, and I couldn’t be prouder or more excited for what’s ahead.”
In a statement released Tuesday, Upthegrove’s office wrote, “On his first day in office, Commissioner Upthegrove announced a temporary pause on certain timber sales to develop this plan. Since then, DNR forest scientists have assembled and put into use a new tool for identifying older, structurally complex forests. That tool showed the agency had 106,000 acres of structurally complex forests – classified as Maturation II. That means they have an understory with diverse species growing beneath the canopy, small gaps appearing due to natural disturbances like wind, and a relatively low presence of large fallen logs or standing dead trees (snags). These landscapes are very close to fully mature forests with increased structural complexity and biodiversity. “
The conservation of the 77,000 acres still leaves 29,000 acres of structurally complex forests available for harvest, which his office said will ensure the department meets its responsibilities to schools and local governments.
The order also directs the agency to pursue strategies such as selling carbon credits, acquiring replacement timber lands, and seeking increased value from timber sales.