From Kirk Hanson, Director of Forestry Late last week I learned that the USDA is pausing funding for some Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) projects due to the uncertainty surrounding federal funding for the agency and its programs. Specifically, EQIP and CSP contracts that were funded through the Inflation […]

For Tim Schomberg, the forest has always been a place of deep connection. Growing up, he spent much of his time outdoors—logging, hiking, and learning from the woods. In his early life, he developed an appreciation of the beauty and complexity of old-growth forests. In a transformative experience, he lived for a short time with a […]

NNRG welcomes 2025 with two new staff members As we welcome the new year, NNRG is also welcoming two new staff members who you may see out in the field – Forester Barrett Gray and Program Coordinator Lauren McCaskill. We’re excited to have them onboard! We checked in with both to get the inside scoop […]

We asked the NNRG staff and board — notorious for thinking about forests as much off-the-clock as on — for the best forestry, nature, PNW, and environment-related books they read this year. The resulting list has some real gems! Scroll down to read the whole list.  A Forest of Your Own Author: Kirk Hanson and Seth […]

In recent years, the Pacific Northwest has witnessed a rise in eco-conscious, self-built vacation rentals driven by travelers’ growing desire for unique, nature-immersed escapes. Many of these properties are built with locally sourced, renewable materials, reflecting the owners’ connection to the surrounding landscape. Heartland Treehouse in Langlois, Oregon, and Blueberry Hill Hideaway in Springfield, Oregon, […]

As a small forest landowner, understanding the relationship between soil types and vegetation is crucial for successful land management. The adage “right tree in the right location” highlights how the soil type directly influences what trees can thrive on your property. Soil is the foundation of any forest ecosystem, providing essential nutrients, water retention, and […]

Article by Forrest Becker – This research was conducted as part of the requirements for a Master of Arts in Climate Change and Global Sustainability at SIT Graduate Institute, USA. The grounded logs and branches from fallen trees play a crucial role in the Pacific Northwest’s forest ecosystems. Sometimes mistaken for a negative waste product, […]

Written by Laura Linn, NNRG Program Manager This spring, we launched an new forestry curriculum for high school students in partnership with Foster High School in Tukwila, thanks to the generous support of the Russell Family Foundation. As the new program manager, I was excited to return to my roots in education and outreach, and […]

NNRG FSC member Paul Butler’s story is a testament to the benefits of leveraging cost-share programs for forest management. He took a break from installing plant protectors to share his advice and knowledge. Paul owns an 80-acre forest in Thurston County, where he has enhanced his land and deepened his commitment to forest stewardship. Beginnings […]

Managing a forest can be both rewarding and challenging, particularly for small private forest owners. Various federal, state, and county cost-share programs are available to support sustainable forest management activities. These programs are designed to offset the costs of management activities and typically work as a reimbursement model – meaning that you get paid the […]

King County Parks and Recreation manages six sites under NNRG’s FSC group certificate, combining forest health initiatives with public recreation. These forests offer a range of activities, including hiking, biking, horseback riding, birdwatching, and picnicking. The Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) certification is a voluntary, market-driven system that ensures wood products come from responsibly managed forests. […]

As new staff members at NNRG, we were asked to share our favorite way of spending time in the forest for our bios. Naturally, I chose bird watching. My lifelong passion for wildlife initially drew me to Namibia for the charismatic megafauna, particularly big cats. I’ve spent countless hours waiting by waterholes, hoping to glimpse […]

Article by Midori Sylwester. Midori completed her University of Washington Program on the Environment Capstone Project with Northwest Natural Resource Group in Winter/Spring 2024. Small private non-industrial landowners own roughly forty percent of forestland in Washington State (Chowdhury and Brown, 2023) and, on average, prioritize objectives such as wildlife habitat, water quality, and recreation over timber […]

Throughout this book, I certainly don’t hide my opinion that owning or managing a forest is one of the greatest expressions of earth stewardship. I wholeheartedly encourage you to go out and acquire your own tract of forestland and put your conservation ethic into practice. As my mom always says, “Land is a good investment […]

At heart, we are all scientists taking in the world around us with curiosity and questions. You can likely tell us when your hummingbirds return each year, when the wildflowers will bloom, or how the snowfall this February differs from the norm. Now imagine if all that knowledge could be shared for everyone to learn […]