The goal of our Sustainable State Forests efforts is to
improve management of Washington's state forests, creating a model of
sustainable forestry that protects the environment and benefits all the
people of the state.
Creating Results
Our forest work has led to some significant wins in the last several
years including a reduced amount of logging on sensitive state forest
lands like stream sides and steep slopes. In addition, WEC has partnered with
groups like Seattle Audubon Society to push for
certification of state forest lands under the recognized and reputable label of FSC (Forest Stewardship Council). This was was partially successful in
2007 when the state announced its intent to get more than 100,000 acres
FSC-certified.
Without WEC's work, the
state would be clear-cutting far more of our forests and FSC-certified
lumber would not be coming off our state's public forests.
Keeping Government Accountable
WEC continues to monitor the policies of the Department of Natural Resources -- keeping up pressure to abide by agreements we have reached with them to improve
management on our state's forest lands. Click here to read more about WEC's historic 2006 settlement with DNR.
One way that we keep engaged is
also though the work of member organizations like the Olympic Forests
Coalition. That organization has a seat on the WEC Board of Directors
as an Organizational Member represented by Marcy Golde.
Contact: For more information on WEC's forest work, please contact Becky Kelley - becky@wecprotects.org
"Washington Environmental Council helped make sure that people around Washington heard our voices loud and clear." 