Portland-based organization to receive $1.9 million to help underserved forest landowners in WA, OR access climate markets

The Forest Service announced it will award more than $1.9 million to Bonneville Environmental Foundation to help connect underserved and small acreage landowners to emerging climate markets.

This funded project will expand the foundation’s Carbon Credit Regional Operator Program, which provides local forest restoration partners with tools and training to reach small-acreage forest landowners and support their access to voluntary carbon markets.

Bonneville Environmental Foundation and collaborators will recruit new implementation partners, perform focused outreach to landowners, and develop landowner payment structures.

Key partners include Snohomish Conservation District, Spokane Conservation District, Trout Unlimited, Whatcom Conservation District, Coast Fork Willamette Watershed Council, Mid-Columbia Fisheries Enhancement Group, City Forest Credits, and Upstream Tech.

Read the announcement on the USDA Forest Service website.

Countywide wildfire survey will be backbone of ideas to reduce life, safety risks

As wildfire risks in Western Washington increase, Snohomish County officials are developing a county-wide protection plan. 

The county is surveying residents to provide information about the area’s preparedness that will be used to develop the plan. The survey went live in early August and will be available until mid-November. Fire districts, as well as cities, community organizations, the Snohomish Conservation District, the forest service and the state Department of Natural Resources are participating in the planning effort.

Read the article at the Snohomish County Tribune.