The state budget will be finalized in the next few days and we are working to make sure it provides funds to conserve mature stands on state lands. The House Capital Budget includes $25,000,000 in Climate Commitment Act funding to conserves structurally complex, carbon-dense forests and to purchase replacement acres. These funds would conserve forests on trust lands managed by the Department of Natural Resources and make it possible to acquire industrially managed timberland as replacement, providing both timber and livelihoods for rural communities.
We need to remind the senate that conserving carbon-dense forests is the single greatest Natural Climate Solution available in Western Washington. Use the link above to urge your representatives protect older forests by including these funds in the capital budget!