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1.7 Million
Acres of State Managed Land in Western WA
77,000
Acres of Unprotected Legacy Forests Left on WA State Land
3%
Of State Managed Land Still Needs Protection
What We Do
Policy Advocacy
CRF works to enact the permanent protection of the last remaining legacy forests in western Washington by advocating for a climate-smart, community-forward paradigm of conservation in combination with ecological forestry.
Education and Information
CRF works with local communities and county governments to inform them about the legacy forests in their areas and provides information about the tools available to save them.
Documenting Timber Sales
CRF works to identify legacy forests within state-managed lands and to highlight the benefits of these forests. When legacy forests are included in timber sales, CRF notifies the impacted communities and supports strategies to oppose these sales at the State level.
Why It Matters
Legacy Forests are structurally complex, mature forests. They are critical for biodiversity, water quality, and salmon recovery. They store and sequester vast amounts of carbon at rates unequaled in the world. They are natural forests, not tree plantations, and as such they are more resistant to fire.
Clearly they are more valuable standing than being logged. There are only about 77,000 acres of Legacy Forests remaining in Western Washington and they are being harvested at an alarming rate. If we save them they will be the next generation’s old growth.
How You Can Help
CRF has numerous ways to get involved. Whether you are able to give time, resources, or use your voice, you can stand with the older forests of Washington.
CRF hosts forest walks to explore and learn about the special qualities of legacy forests. We also train volunteers in citizen science “ground truthing” in order to gather images and data about legacy forests under threat of being clearcut. . There are also regular opportunities to submit testimony and public comment to state and local governmental bodies in WA. No matter where you are or what you are able to do, there is a way to get involved with CRF.