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Resources for San Juan County Forest Owners

Northwest Natural Resource Group and our partners have hosted ecological forestry workshops in the San Juan Islands since 2012. These resources are specifically for San Juan County forest owners who are interested in learning techniques to reduce fire risk, increase forest value, manage timber sales, market forest products, and improve the ecological and economic health of island forests.

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Build a Constructed Log

Building a constructed log after thinning out small suppressed trees increases the economic value of future harvest while invigorating wildlife habitat and cleaning up slash. Kirk Hanson, our Directory of Forestry, talks about why he built his.   Photo: Matt Freeman-Gleason

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Empowering New Forest Owners in the Northwest

Many new forest owners are not aware that heavily altered forests need active management to improve ecosystem functions and reduce vulnerability to pests, diseases, and wildfire. New owners indicate purchasing forestland for privacy, aesthetics, wildlife, and as an investment. Ecologically-based forest management involves practices that align with new forest owners’ objectives, such as uneven-aged, multi-species silviculture, that increases biodiversity, and optimizes timber production for niche markets. The long-term goal of Empowering New Forest Owners in the Northwest (a Beginning Farmer & Rancher Development Program funded by the USDA) is to promote forest stewardship and market strategies that improve the health of

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Solving Woody Biomass in the Forests of the San Juan Islands

Engaging with woodland owners in San Juan County to address the unique challenges of managing island forests for both ecological health and economic viability. NNRG and our partners have worked in many island forests, conducting one-on-one site visits, developing management plans, hosting tours and classes. Increasingly, landowners have sought guidance on how to manage their overstocked stands for improved forest health. They are also looking for creative ways to use the excess woody material that is a byproduct of restoration. In 2017, we hosted a series of workshops for forest landowners interested in reducing the risks of wildfire, diseases and lost value to their

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Family Forest Field Day Resources

Thanks for stopping by the NNRG booth at the Forest Owner Field Day! We hope you had a terrific day of learning in the woods. In case you didn’t get a copy of the handouts you wanted, we’ve curated the materials NNRG provided in the links below. We wish you all the best in the stewardship of your forest!   Financing the Stewardship of your Forest Financing Stewardship Forestry: A Guide to Conservation-Based Markets and Programs for Small Forest Landowners Funding Opportunity: Environmental Quality Incentives Program   About Forest Stewardship Council certification Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Fact Sheet FSC: The Gold

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NNRG’s Executive Director to join WA DNR as Policy Director

NNRG Executive Director Dan Stonington (right) accepting NNRG’s 2016 FSC Leadership Award. The board and staff of NNRG are pleased to share that our Executive Director, Dan Stonington, has been selected to join the new administration of Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz as the Commissioner’s Policy Director. Dan has served as NNRG’s Executive Director since 2011 – during this time the organization has expanded ecological forestry assistance for landowners, advanced projects demonstrating innovative ecosystem services, and continued to provide cost-effective access to Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) certification for 150,000 acres in Washington and Oregon. We are excited for the opportunities

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Workshop: How to Manage a Timber Sale – Jan. 21 & Feb. 4

Timber harvests conducted with care and good planning are an important management tool that can generate revenue while improving the quality and value of timber resources and wildlife habitat. Harvesting and selling timber is incredibly complex and can be challenging – incomplete planning without market knowledge can cost you thousands of dollars. By being well-informed about the value of timber, key questions to ask, and the logistics of harvesting and marketing logs, you can ensure a more efficient harvest operation that yields the ecological and economic results you want from your forest. This day-long workshop will introduce landowners to the

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Earth Day 2016

The theme for Earth Day 2016 is Trees for the Earth. Trees combat climate change, clean air, and provide critical resources to communities. There are so many ways to celebrate our home planet and the trees we all depend on! Join one of the fun, impactful volunteer opportunities below.   Check out NNRG’s stewardship program with workshops and free site visits for small forest landowners to start learning and nurturing your leafy friends. For many woodland owners and stewards, every day is Earth Day. And don’t forget to hug some trees! Happy Earth Day!   [table id=5 /]

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By the Numbers: 2015 Accomplishments

2015 was a productive year! Northwest Certified Forestry members showed their dedication to stewarding Pacific Northwest forests with ecologically-minded practices that contribute to the regional economy. We are so inspired by the forest stewards in our community who worked to enhance habitat for threatened and endangered species, remove invasive species, plant native seedlings and shrubs, pursue new markets, and do what it takes to nurture and sustain complex forest structure. Here are some highlights: Our Community 160 members across more than 162,000 acres in Washington and Oregon, More than 100 family forests and small businesses 12 youth camps and education centers 11

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2016 Native Plant Sales

It’s time to think about spring planting! Which native plants will restore forest health, provide wildlife value, and add vibrant beauty to your woodland? Find a native plant sale near you for a diverse array of seedlings – and make sure you preorder to get all the plants you want! [table id=2 /]

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Monitoring Ecosystem Services

Below you’ll find all the forms and information referenced in the Monitoring pages. By incorporating forest inventory measurements, biodiversity assessments, and evaluating forest conditions post-harvest, you are comprehensively documenting forest conditions. Monitoring is a critical component of good forest stewardship and is a means to evaluate the ecosystem services that a forest produces. Guides to Ecosystem Services Monitoring Start Here! ->Introduction to Tools for Ecosystem Services Monitoring Forest Inventory & Monitoring Guidelines How to Conduct a Forest Biodiversity Assessment Field Forms Forest Inventory Field Datasheets Post-Harvest Assessment Forest Biodiversity Assessment Forms: Douglas-fir/mixed coniferous forests west of the Cascades Early seral

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