Holding Our Leaders Accountable

State of Our Forests & Public Lands Report

Since 2015, Washington Conservation Action (WCA) and Washington Conservation Action Education Fund (WCA Ed Fund) have published an annual State of our Forests and Public Lands report evaluating the Commissioner of Public Lands and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR).  

We do this report because we believe accountability is vital. DNR is a state agency with unparalleled impact on Washington’s forests. DNR is led by the Commissioner of Public Lands (CPL), the only statewide elected official who works exclusively with our natural resources. It is critical that the people of Washington receive credible information about how well elected officials are representing their interests, including protecting the environment and addressing the climate crisis. 

Together with WCA Ed Fund, WCA reviewed the first 12 months of Commissioner Dave Upthegrove’s term and DNR’s work this year to determine where there have been successes and where more work is needed.  

This year’s report marks the first focused on Commissioner Upthegrove— who ran a campaign focused on conservation of mature forests on state lands, environmental justice, and Tribal stewardship. Leadership, values, and priorities are all in the process of transformation at DNR. As we look ahead to the next three years of Commissioner Upthegrove’s term, we also revisit the vision for the next CPL published in last year’s report and consider how well the new administration has positioned itself to promote management of our state’s natural resources for the benefit of all Washingtonians.