Along the rocky shores of Orcas Island, YMCA Camp Orkila is a special place where the forest meets the sea. Campers describe the iconic Northwest destination as magical, Neverland, and Oz. The YMCA offers camp programs by summer and outdoor environmental education programs in the spring and fall, serving more than 17,000 campers and students each year. The iconic camp […]
Summer: Forestry through the Seasons
Summer is the perfect time for major forest management activities like thinning trees, controlling weeds, and maintaining roads. Performing these stewardship activities in the dry season when sap flow is low will reduce damage to residual trees while minimizing soil compaction and other effects on forest ecosystems. Steward your Forest Clear winter debris from roads and […]
Member Spotlight: Oak restoration & attuning to “hidden” wonders
When Jeanie Taylor and her husband, Tom Lenon, saw their forest for the first time they knew it was home. While the 20 acres in the Gopher Valley hills of Yamhill County was riddled with scotch broom and blackberry, it also supported Oregon white oaks and suggested the potential to provide habitat for endangered Fender’s blue butterfly, threatened […]
Workshop: Hands-On Forestry for San Juans Woodlands
Learn DIY ways to nurture your forest! Many San Juan forests are in need of care to be their healthiest. In the absence of natural and historic processes, island forests have become overstocked, lost biodiversity, and are more susceptible to stress and disease. Join us for a walk in the woods and learn how to implement easy […]
Workshop: Ecological Forestry 101: Intro to Silviculture and Wildlife – June 4 & 11
Woodland owners in the Pacific Northwest are interested in maintaining forests that provide a broad range of ecological functions and economic goals. Enjoying wildlife and providing wildlife habitat are often motivators for stewarding woodlands. It’s important to understand how the habitat in your forest meets the needs of particular wildlife species and what you can do […]
Resources for Beginning Forest Landowners
In 2016 and 2017, we offered a program for new forest landowners in southwest Washington and northwest Oregon. We produced two handouts specifically for people who recently purchased forestland: Do-It-Yourself Ways to Steward a Healthy, Beautiful Forest – this guide focuses on simple things Northwest forest owners can do themselves to attract wildlife to the land, […]
Member Spotlight: Giving back to forest, creek, and community
Camp Myrtlewood brings together a community dedicated to stewardship, environmental education, and fellowship. Just a few miles upstream from the confluence of the Middle Fork Coquille River and Myrtle Creek, Camp Myrtlewood includes 124 acres of temperate rainforest that is Forest Stewardship Council® certified through NNRG’s FSC® group certificate. Tucked away in the Coast Range […]
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 […]
Stewardship Assistance & Carbon Information for Family Forest Owners
The next application cutoff date is February 17, 2017 Northwest Natural Resource Group is collaborating with The Pinchot Institute for Conservation, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Ecotrust, and other partners on a USDA-funded project to unlock carbon markets for family forest owners. This program can provide landowners with an initial carbon assessment and a carbon inventory. The inventory measures how […]
Workshop: You Bought a Forest, So Now What? – April 23 & 30
Owning forestland has been your dream, but now that the land is yours where do you start? This workshop will introduce you to the natural history and ecology of western Washington and Oregon forests and provide key information for starting to assess and manage your land. You’ll also come away with a framework of ideas, […]
Member Spotlight: Learning the ways of their dream forest
For years, Tod and Gerie Lemkuhl loved exploring Mount Rainier National Park and dreamed of some-day stewarding a wild forest akin to the park’s cathedrals of lush old-growth. Seven years ago they knew it was time to turn “someday” into reality. So they sold their home in Seattle, purchased 20 acres of forest near Eatonville […]
So, You Own a Forest?
Forests offer us inspiration and a connection to the land – one that renews us and often reminds us we have put in a day’s good work. Owning a forest can be a source of beauty, relaxation, recreation, and income for you and your family. There are many simple things that you can do to make […]
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 […]
Protecting Forests and Clean Drinking Water along Lake St. Clair
People need forests. They make our oxygen, clean our water, limit flooding, and absorb carbon. They evoke mental well-being and are part of our cultural identities. Protecting the ecosystem services that forests and other invaluable biotic communities provide is integral to our future. Often, we can take for granted the significance of what forested ecosystems […]
Thank You Thursday – Reuben’s Brews
March 24, 2016 – 3:00 to 8:00pm Reuben’s Brews – 5010 14th Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98107 Drink beer to save forests! Join us for Thank You Thursday at Reuben’s Brews. We’re celebrating great forests that contribute to great beer. Reuben’s Brews uses water from the South Fork Tolt Watershed, a Forest Stewardship Council® certified […]
FSC Your Valentine’s Day
However you choose to spend February 14th The Forest Stewardship CouncilⓇ (FSCⓇ) certifies forests and forest products that meet stringent standards of environmental sustainability. What better way to celebrate your loved one than with these luxurious picks? [table id=3 /] Go on a date in an FSC certified forest: Turtleback Mountain | Orcas Island, WA Discovery Park | Seattle, […]
Workshop: Emerging Biofuel Options for San Juan Forests
Join us to learn about ways to improve your forest’s health and use low value wood! Register today: http://sanjuans-biofuels.eventbrite.com Often there are significant byproducts from forest management and restoration treatments that amount to slash and other woody biomass left on the ground. This low value material includes small diameter trees, limbs, needles, leaves, and other woody […]
Member Spotlight: Nisqually State Park
To restore ecological complexity to a forest, you need good partners and often, you need to cut a few trees. Last summer, Washington State Parks & Recreation Commission worked with the University of Washington’s Pack Forest, WA State Department of Natural Resources, and WyEast Timber Services to conduct an ecologically-based harvest project on 104 acres […]
Winter: Forestry through the Seasons
Winter is a wonderful time to be out in your woods! Without leaves, you’ll have visibility to notice summer’s successes as well as potential issues for the coming dry season. By walking your woods and planning for spring, winter can be restorative and productive for you and your forest. Walk your Woods Straighten up tree […]
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 /]