Tribal Wood, Tribal Wisdom: A Renewed Vision for Our Forests

Forests have always been more than just trees to Tribal Nations—they’re living landscapes that hold stories, culture, and deep knowledge passed down through generations. When it comes to creating healthy environments, many Tribes are showing us what true leadership means by blending time-honored forest stewardship with cutting-edge science and technology.

But even with their deep expertise, Tribes often face real hurdles when it comes to getting their forest products into the market in a way that reflects their values. Too often, systems that value forests only for their timber miss the bigger picture—like cultural priorities, long-term forest health, and wildlife habitat benefits.

That’s why we at Sustainable Northwest are partnering with Tribes across the PNW to explore something exciting: Tribal wood marketing opportunities. It’s an idea rooted in possibility—what if wood products could tell you more about who owned the land, how the forest was managed, and benefits to communities?

Our goal is to shine a light on Tribal forestry practices and help create new pathways for these products to reach builders, designers, and others who care about where their materials come from. We’re asking questions like: What do builders need to support this kind of wood? How can we make sure Tribal values are front and center? What would it take to build a transparent, trustworthy supply chain from forest to finish? And how can we drive financial value to landowners managing for unique ecological and cultural benefits?

This isn’t just about marketing wood—it’s about honoring leadership, culture, and deep care for the land. And it starts by listening. We’re committed to working hand in hand with Tribal partners to co-create something meaningful and lasting.

Because when Tribal communities lead the way in forest stewardship, we all benefit—from healthier ecosystems to more sustainable ways of living.

Want to take our survey on Tribal wood? >>CLICK HERE!<<