By Zach Maskin, 6/28/11

Your friends at NNRG are proud to announce that we have received a grant from the Satterberg Foundation to fund conservation forestry efforts in Jefferson County, WA.  The grant addresses three primary goals: 1) keep prime forest land available and affordable in large enough tracts that timber operations can be economically viable, 2) provide business and capital support for foresters, and 3) enhance markets for locally produced timber products. 

For this project, NNRG will be working as a member of the Jefferson LandWorks Collaborative, an alliance of organizations who provide integrated solutions to improve environmental sustainability and economic resilience of farm and forest land through restoration assistance, business planning, capital, local marketing, and education. NNRG is a founding member of Jefferson LandWorks, providing forestry expertise and representing the interests of forest landowners. East Jefferson County has substantial FSC membership and a sizable population interested in supporting locally produced goods. This grant will make it possible to increase community outreach and let people know there are local foresters and timber products available. Denise Pranger, NNRG’s Executive Director, is eager to convey the importance of local timber. She states, “Using local tree species and locally produced timber products adds to the depth and well-being of our community. . .  Investing in local wood products is just as important as buying local food.” This funding will allow NNRG to more effectively spread this message throughout Jefferson County.

There is a significant need to preserve Jefferson County’s farms and forests. The county has recently seen a tremendous population boom. Over the previous decade, the county has experienced a 13% population increase and some properties have risen twenty times their previous value. With the population and economic growth,  Jefferson County’s wealth of natural resource are in serious jeopardy, as large tracts of working forests are being sold for development. A loss of these working forests generates a host of economic, social and environmental strife which can be seen in job loss, increased cost of living, and decline in wildlife habitat and water quality. Funding from the Satterberg Foundation is an opportunity for Jefferson LandWorks to implement its strategic plan, mitigate negative consequences of growth, and preserve the county’s working forests.

Thanks to the Satterberg Foundation, NNRG and Jefferson LandWorks have great potential to further their long term goals: preserving critical habitat, improving and maintaining ecosystem function on working lands, and providing successful markets to sustain these properties and businesses in an effective local economy without the need for ongoing external funding.  Keep your eyes out for upcoming educational opportunities and trainings sponsored by NNRG and Jefferson LandWorks!