Victory for Washington’s Legacy Forests: 77,000 acres conserved

Seeing the forest for the trees, Commissioner Upthegrove delivers on campaign promises to promote ecological health in state forest management. 

On August 26, Commissioner of Public Lands Dave Upthegrove announced an executive order conserving 77,000 acres of older and mature state forestlands in western Washington, often called legacy forests. The order follows a six-month review of projects that would have impacted these stands, during which the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) analyzed data on more than 100,000 acres and applied new mapping tools to identify their ecological significance. 

“We commend Commissioner Upthegrove for protecting these older forests on state lands in western Washington. Mature and old-growth forests in the Pacific Northwest have unmatched climate, cultural and biodiversity values, and have been significantly reduced by intensive logging over the decades. Commissioner Upthegrove’s order is an important step toward more sustainable, cost effective, and climate-smart forest management.  

-Dave Werntz, Science and Conservation Senior Director  

Legacy forests provide immense conservation benefits. Their mature trees and complex structure support habitat for wildlife including threatened and endangered species, protect streams and watersheds critical for clean drinking water and salmon recovery, and store large amounts of carbon that help buffer the effects of climate change. These forests also provide cultural resources, recreation, and resilience against wildfire, making them some of the most ecologically valuable lands in western Washington. 

The majority of Washington’s 2.4 million acres of forestlands are managed by DNR for timber production to generate revenue. Conserving 77,000 acres of older forest helps protects and restore the ecological crown jewels of the DNR portfolio while leaving the broader timber base intact. In doing so, it promises to reduce conflict and create greater predictability for sustainable timber harvests in the years ahead while protecting forest health and biodiversity on state lands. 

The decision also builds on recent state and legislative actions. In 2022, the Washington Supreme Court unanimously affirmed that DNR’s mandate includes generating benefit not only for trust beneficiaries but also for the broader public. And in recent years, the Legislature has invested nearly $120 million to acquire replacement timberlands, allowing mature, carbon-dense forests like these to be conserved while still supporting rural economies. 

This order is an important milestone, but it is also just the beginning. With climate change and shifting community needs, Washington must continue to modernize how it manages state forests. Conservation Northwest looks forward to working with Commissioner Upthegrove, Tribal governments, local communities, and partners to build on this progress to advance climate-smart forestry, protect cultural resources, and ensure these forests provide lasting benefits for people and wildlife for generations to come.