1) Advance Community-Based Forestry and Working Forest Protection
WALT supports continued investment into community-based forestry and urges the State Legislature to allocate $5.78 million in the Supplemental Budget still needed to fully fund RCO’s Community Forest Program this biennium. Community-based forestry, in which residents are actively included in the development, governance, management and use of working forest land, can bring substantial benefits to health and wellbeing, generate local jobs and economic activity, enhance wildlife habitat, increase recreational access, and support climate resilience and mitigation. This $5.78 million in supplemental funding would ensure that two remaining projects recommended by the Recreation and Conservation Office in Hoquiam and Whidbey Island could advance this year. Without funding this year, these special forested lands are at risk of being converted and lost to our state forever.