"Climate-smart forestry is critical to successfully manage our forests for the many benefits they provide, from clean air and water to carbon storage, wood products, and a healthy, sustainable planet for all.” 

 - Hilary Franz, Commissioner of Public Lands 

Capture and store carbon 

• Trees draw carbon dioxide from the air as they grow and store carbon in wood fibers. This carbon can be stored in trees and soils, as well as long-lived wood products.
• Climate-smart forestry practices ensure greater carbon sequestration and storage over time compared to conventional forest practices. DNR utilizes these practices for the long-term health and benefits of the forest. 

Protect wildlife and water quality 

• DNR maintains large buffers around wildlife and water, going above and beyond the minimum requirements to ensure protection of plants, animals, and ensure water quality.
• We preserve and restore habitat for dozens of imperiled, threatened, and endangered species as well as other critical wildlife.
• Outside experts verify that DNR responsibly manages our forests well beyond minimum standards for wildlife, water quality, and soil health.

Preserve old growth 

• In keeping with our habitat conservation objectives, DNR identifies and protects old growth forests and individual large, structurally unique trees.  

Advance equity in forest management activities

• DNR provides funding for counties across the state, ensuring low-income communities maintain access to emergency services and school funding. 
• We are implementing environmental justice assessments on all significant agency actions to ensure environmental benefits and burdens are equitably distributed. 
• DNR is expanding our Wildfire Ready Neighbors program throughout western Washington to ensure residents, regardless of income or language, have the information and resources they need to protect their homes from wildfire and the negative heath impacts of smoke. We have already reached 6,000 households statewide to help improve wildfire resilience.

Make forests and communities more resilient to a changing climate. 

• DNR works with partners statewide to reduce the threat and intensity of wildfire, drought, and insect infestation on Washington forests. Forest management strategies like prescribed burns and thinning help restore forests to a more natural, resilient, and healthy condition. 
• We grow, plant, and even sell seedlings, including 14 different species just for Washington. 
• DNR offers funding and guidance to cities and their residents to preserve, plant, and manage forests and trees for public benefits and quality of life. 
• Small forest landowners own nearly 3 million acres of forest statewide. DNR offers financial and technical assistance to protect and promote the ecological and economic viability of their forestlands, improving forest resilience to the impacts of climate change. 

Collaborate with Tribal communities 

• DNR works closely with Tribal partners to ensure they retain land access for hunting, fishing, cultural practices, and more.
• We recognize the vital knowledge Washington's Indigenous peoples hold and collaborate on the management of our shared natural resources. 
• DNR conducts Tribal consultations on all state policy proposals. 

Prevent forest conversion to development 

• Washington lost nearly 400,000 acres of forest to drought, disease, development, and wildfire in less than 15 years. That pace will only accelerate if we don’t support our working forests and prevent conversion to parking lots and strip malls. 
• We work with private landowners and the federal government to prevent conversion of thousands of acres of forest annually, protecting water quality, fish and wildlife habitat, cultural resources, and recreation opportunities. 
• DNR provides grants to help prevent conversion to non-forest use. We will even purchase at-risk forestland prevent its conversion to development.  

Supply wood products sustainably

• Wood is our most renewable and sustainable building material. We can help address the growing housing crisis by building affordable housing with locally sourced wood instead of more carbon-intensive building materials, like concrete and steel. Wood is necessary to reduce the overall carbon footprint of our built environment.
• Wood products go beyond just framing a house, including sawdust and bark for biofuel and energy as well as pulp for assorted household products. Manufacturing in Washington creates good jobs and thriving communities throughout the states. 
• Outside experts verify that DNR responsibly manages working forests above and beyond common protections for plants, animals, water quality, and soil health. 

Fund schools, firefighters, and emergency responders 

• DNR is required by law to generate revenue for local government and school construction statewide.
• From UW to WSU, K-12 schools, and fire, library, and emergency medical service districts, DNR funds critical services across Washington. 

• Forests and Trust Lands
• Forest Health Strategic Plan
• Plan for Climate Resilience