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STATISTICS

Below are several statistics regarding working forests in Washington, that may surprise you.

101,000

jobs are dependent on the forest industry in Washington state

Our working forests sustain the 3rd largest manufacturing sector in Washington and  form the foundation of the timber industry that supports more than 101,000 workers and generates $5.5 billion in wages annually. See how many jobs are in your county and learn more at 
http://data.workingforests.org/

23 Million

The number of acres of forest that cover the state of Washington

Over half the state is forested, with nearly 23 million acres of forested lands.  About 47% of the forested land is working, or providing jobs and economic value to support rural communities from timber growing and harvesting operations.  The rest of the forest, 53% is restricted from harvesting and set aside in conservation areas, parks and wilderness designations.

 

2nd

Biomass is the second largest source of renewable energy in the US after hydropower

According to the US Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), the majority of biomass energy is produced from wood and wood wastes. See Temperate Forest Foundation. Biomass for Energy & Forest Fuel Reduction. Eco-Link, 13:3. Today, woody biomass is the #2 source of renewable energy in the country, second only to hydropower as a renewable energy solution, and ranking ahead of wind and solar energy.  See: Aguilar, F. Wood energy in developed economies: An overlooked renewable. Resources for the Future, pg. 188.

 

52 Million

The number of trees replanted each year in Washington state

Each year forest landowners in Washington plant an average of 52 million tree seedlings in areas that have been harvested. On average, that’s three seedlings planted by hand for every one tree removed.  Where do these 52 million tree seedlings come from? Nearly all come from tree nurseries right here in Washington. New forests are grown from seed collected from cones within the same seed zone or region that has the distinctive environmental conditions for a particular tree. While the first seed zone maps were published in 1966, a lot of new information has been incorporated since then.

http://www.wfpa.org/sustainable-forestry/renewable-resource/reforestation/

3 Trees

are replanted for every one that is harvested

On average, that’s three seedlings planted by hand for every one tree removed. Private landowners take a proactive approach, not only to reach the state requirement of reforestation within three years of harvesting an area, but to ensure growth of desirable tree species, to allow for proper spacing between the planted trees, and to restore wildlife habitat.

 http://www.wfpa.org/sustainable-forestry/renewable-resource/reforestation/

2.2

The net annual growth to harvest ratio: Trees growing more than twice the rate of harvest.

Washington’s forests are growing at twice the rate as they are harvested providing benefits for fish, water, wildlife and people too from harvested wood products.  Find out more here: USDA Forest Resources of the United States, 2012 GTR WO-91, Table 36, Oct. 2014

 

28%

Modern, scientific forestry is sustainable and renewable.

Modern, scientific forestry is sustainable and renewable.  Trees are harvested then replanted, on average there are 52 million trees planted each year. This cycle of harvesting and replanting stores carbon–not only in living trees in the forest, but in finished wood products such as lumber and furniture.  Washington’s forests and harvested wood products absorb and store 28% of the state’s total emissions.  See the details at Washington Department of Ecology. 2007. Greenhouse Gas Inventory & Reference Case Projections, 1990-2020. Center for Climate Strategies, pgs. ES-5 and I-3.