As a Washington state forest landowner, there are many local, state, & federal programs, resources, and forestry professionals who are available to assist you with achieving your stewardship goals and objectives. Get started strengthening your network by perusing the resources and organizations below.
Education, Classes & Consultant Directories
The faculty and staff of Washington State University Extension Forestry offer a wide
variety of objective, research-based forest stewardship classes, publications, and online
resources at their website. Additionally, the online Washington State Consulting Forester
and Silvicultural Contractor Directory can help you locate private sector silvicultural
professionals to help you implement forest practices.
Forest Planning Assistance
Care to seek ideas and resources on how you could manage your forest for long-term health, wildlife habitat, aesthetics, or timber? Forest planning staff both at your local conservation and the Washington State Department of Natural Resources Small Forest
Landowner Field Office are available for site visits, as well as phone and email consultation. Visit here for additional information.
Financial Assistance for Forest Practices
Managing your forest can sometimes take more time, energy, and money than one has available. That’s where the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service “EQIP” Program might help. The Environmental Quality Incentives Program provides eligible landowners with financial and technical assistance to address natural resource concerns and deliver environmental benefits to their forest land. Visit the EQIP page under Financial Assistance on the NRCS website for more information.
Beneficial Tax Programs for Eligible Forest Land
There are two primary current use taxation programs in most of Washington’s counties that offer an incentive – a property tax reduction – to landowners to voluntarily conserve forestland on their property. The Public Benefit Rating System is suited for landowners wanting to protect or restore open space resources on their property, while the Designated Forest Land Program focuses on the sustainable management of commercial timber stands. To learn more, visit the WA Department of Revenue website or read this tax guide on open space.
Conservation Easement Opportunities
Interested in preserving your forest so that future generations will be able to enjoy it as you have? Conservation easements are voluntary agreements that permanently limit the uses of land in order to protect certain conservation values. Whether a landowner sells or donates the development rights on their property, conservation easements enable them to be fairly compensated for their land’s development potential. Learn more about conservation easements at the Washington Association of Land Trust’s website.