Forests


We believe healthy, resilient forests support thriving communities.


Community Forests
Living with Fire
Central Washington
Klamath Basin

That’s why we partner with rural & Tribal communities to develop locally-led solutions that advance forest health and resilience. 

We see an opportunity to greatly increase the pace and scale of forest conservation and restoration in the Pacific Northwest.

HERE’S WHAT WE’RE DOING ABOUT IT:

COMMUNITY-LED FOREST CONSERVATION

Our community forest initiative brings community partners into conversation about ways to manage forests for local benefits.

Community forests are a nature-based solution that allows communities to lead. They can be managed for multiple benefits, which may include:

  • Drinking water.

  • Wildlife habitat.

  • Timber harvest.

  • Wildfire resilience.

  • Recreation and more.

VISIT THE COMMUNITY FORESTS PAGE!

LIVING WITH FIRE

Pacific Northwest forests evolved with fire. In these “fire-dependent ecosystems,” some fires naturally occurred, and some were sparked by Tribes stewarding healthy forest conditions.

Now, the region is experiencing severe wildfires more frequently due to unhealthy forest conditions, a warming climate, and years of suppressing beneficial fire, so we are working with partners to:

  • Improve forest health and landscape resilience to reduce wildfire severity.

  • Prepare communities on the frontlines of wildfire.

  • Support recovery efforts after large wildfires.

  • Prepare forests to accept beneficial fire back to the landscape.

VISIT THE LIVING WITH FIRE PAGE!

STRATEGIC LANDSCAPES

We are working with all stakeholders in the region including Tribes, businesses, community groups, private landowners, and state, county, and municipal agencies to greatly increase the pace and scale of forest health restoration in Central Washington.

CENTRAL WASHINGTON

VISIT THE CENTRAL WASHINGTON PAGE!

We are working with all landowners in the basin – including the Klamath Tribes, private forest companies, and the national forest – to find the best approaches to forest management that work for nature, people, and local economies.

KLAMATH BASIN

VISIT THE KLAMATH BASIN PAGE!

9

Collaboratives or coalitions supporting forest health that we launched, lead, or directly support.

4 Million

Board feet of Western Juniper wood products produced annually

49

Community forests we support through the Northwest Community Forests Coalition.

“I support Sustainable Northwest because its professionals develop innovative strategies to solve problems in ways that benefit both people and the environment in the Pacific Northwest.

In today's fractious world, it is refreshing to find an organization like Sustainable Northwest that works on finding environmental solutions that help people achieve their goals.”

- Dr. Norm Johnson, former Sustainable Northwest board member and professor emeritus at Oregon State University’s College of Forestry.

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