Washington State has taken a major step forward in forest conservation. Commissioner of Public Lands Dave Upthegrove has ordered 77,000 acres of structurally complex forests to be set aside for permanent protection. These legacy forests are not technically old-growth, yet they contain rich biodiversity, significant carbon storage capacity, and natural wildfire resilienceāqualities that make them essential to the stateās climate and ecological future.
The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) confirmed these forests will be excluded from timber harvests while the agency explores alternative management strategies that better align with long-term sustainability goals. Among the options under evaluation are participation in carbon credit programs and ecosystem services markets that reward conservation. Approaches like these can align economic incentives with environmental stewardship, allowing legacy forests to continue delivering climate benefits while supporting community prosperity.
At the same time, DNR is taking care to maintain balance with Washington’s timber economy. Roughly 29,000 acres outside the conservation set-aside will remain available for traditional harvest. Revenues from these working forests are vital for schools, libraries, and other public services, especially in rural communities. By pairing permanent protection for legacy forests with measured, sustainable timber operations elsewhere, the state is advancing a pragmatic model: protect the most ecologically valuable stands, keep critical funding streams intact, and plan for resilience in a warming world.
Support for the move has been broad. Tribal leaders, education advocates, and conservation groups have highlighted how the decision advances climate resilience, safeguards wildlife habitat, and provides fiscal predictability for local jurisdictions. The action also builds on Upthegroveās earlier pause on logging older forests shortly after taking office, signaling a durable policy direction that prioritizes ecological integrity and community well-being.
In practical terms, this conservation decision means more mature canopies to buffer extreme heat, more downed wood and complex structure to nurture species diversity, and more carbon retained in living systems. It also means a clearer framework for integrating finance with conservation—using market tools where appropriate, and permanent protections where essential. As Washington implements this plan, legacy forests will serve as living infrastructure for climate stability, biodiversity, and community health—today and for generations to come.
