The Washington Community Forestry Council (WCFC) is a statewide advisory council comprised of volunteer members representing diverse perspectives on urban forestry in Washington state. The council serves to support the mission of the Washington State Department of Natural Resources Urban and Community Forestry Program* and to advise the Commissioner of Public Lands and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) on statewide issues pertaining to urban and community forestry.

Please note that the Commissioner of Public Lands is an elected official. The contested primary and general elections this year will determine who the new Commissioner will be starting in January 2025, which is also when terms for new WCFC will begin.

The council is recruiting for up to five positions to start in January. Applicants who represent any of the following organizations or interests will be considered for a position on the WCFC:

  • Tribes
  • Urban forest managers or municipal arborists
  • Private sector arborists, horticulturalists, or foresters
  • Public or private utility arborists
  • Non-profit/volunteer or environmental conservation groups
  • Environmental or social justice
  • Environmental education
  • Job training or green career development
  • Tree board or committee members from local jurisdictions engaged in urban forestry
  • Elected officials not representing AWC or WSAC
  • Registered Landscape Architects
  • State, county, city, or local agency concerned with conservation or education
  • Public or private land development, urban planning, economic development, or similar professions
  • Academic institutions with expertise in urban and community forestry issues

The above list represents a wide array of interests represented by past and current members of the WCFC. Professionals with non-traditional experience in urban forestry or natural resource management are encouraged to apply. The council is seeking to diversify its membership and welcomes new perspectives.

The business of the WCFC currently places a focus on equity and environmental justice, thus the council is hoping for a wide-reaching and inclusive pool of candidates for open positions. Furthermore, the current council is more heavily represented by western half of the state; applicants from central and eastern Washington are encouraged to apply.    

To apply, interested individuals are asked to send a resume and letter of interest to urban_forestry@dnr.wa.gov by August 30. Letters of interest must detail: the applicant’s experience with, interest in, or connection to nature in cities; any experience or interest in environmental justice; why the applicant wishes to participate on the WCFC; and how they hope to be an asset as a new member. 

Applicants do not need to be senior professionals or people with leadership experience. The council welcomes people of all ages and levels of experience. Anyone with questions about their eligibility is strongly encouraged to contact DNR Urban and Community Forestry Program Manager Ben Thompson at 360-485-8651 or ben.thompson@dnr.wa.gov.

We expect this recruitment to be open for about three months to give time for people to apply and to attract a robust pool of potential applicants to select from. Final recommendations for new members will be forwarded to the Commissioner of Public Lands later this fall.

On behalf of the Washington Community Forestry Council, thank you for your interest. We look forward to reviewing a diverse pool of applications.

*The mission of the DNR Urban & Community Forestry Program is to provide leadership to create self-sustaining urban and community forestry programs that preserve, plant, and manage forests and trees for public benefits and quality of life. The program does this by teaching citizens and decision-makers about the economic, environmental, psychological, and aesthetic benefits of trees. The program also helps local governments, citizen groups, and volunteers plant and sustain healthy trees and vegetation throughout Washington. The council was established under RCW 76.15 to advise the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in carrying out the Washington State Urban and Community Forestry Program.