Preparation and Response to Mediterranean Oak Borer in Washington State: Register Today!

Mediterranean oak borer (MOB), Xyleborus monographus, is a novel and major concern for Washington’s urban forests and oak tree population. Learn how you and your community can become more prepared and stay in the loop about MOB by registering to attend the online workshop hosted by Washington State University. The workshop will focus on the biology, …

Modernizing Forest Practices Applications Forms in 2025

The Department of Natural Resources Forest Practices Program is in the midst of a project that will build and configure software so that forest landowners will be able to complete a forest practices application (FPA) on-line. All forest landowners will also be able to create a map of their forest practices activity, as well as …

Faces of Urban Forestry: Kids for Urban Trees

How many of you knew you were going to be urban tree advocates at a young age? A group of elementary school kids from the Tri-Cities is already out in their community taking action, advocating, completing heat island effect experiments, inspiring adults and of course, planting trees! Kids for Urban Trees was founded in 2021 …

Pathways to Powerful Partnerships Learning Lab: Register Today!

Calling all Puget Sound urban forestry enthusiasts, leaders & change agents– Register today for the first Learning Lab: "Branching Out: Pathways to Powerful Partnerships" hosted by the Tree Equity Collaborative on May 7, 2024 in Tacoma, WA. If you are not in the Puget Sound region or this event fills up, do not worry, future …

Coordinator’s Corner – April 2024

By Ben Thompson Happy spring everyone! Nothing says rejuvenation like the sights and sounds of springtime, and I, for one, am really feeling it lately. Thanks to an influx of funding from the USDA Forest Service through the Federal Inflation Reduction Act, and the Washington State Legislature through the Washington State Climate Commitment Act, we …

Capitol Campus Celebrating Arbor Day and the Importance of Tree Species Diversity

By Julia Kast & Em Roberts Arbor Day provides us an excellent opportunity to celebrate trees, our urban forests, and remind ourselves of the importance of taking care of the impressive mature trees throughout Washington. This year’s Washington Arbor Day Celebration will be held April 26 starting at 10:30 am at 11th Avenue SW across …

Commissioner Franz Announces $8 Million in Urban Forestry Grants

This news release is republished as it originally appeared on February 29, 2024. More than 40 communities from Seattle to Spokane slated to get funding for urban trees More than $8 million will be used to plant trees in communities across Washington as the Washington State Department of Natural Resources announced the 45 recipients of …

Faces of Urban Forestry: Alicia Hamilton-Jevnikar

Please welcome Alicia Hamilton-Jevnikar. Alicia started in February as the Project Manager for the Tree Equity Collaborative at DNR. While she is based out of the Natural Resource Building in Olympia, her position will take her across the entire state as she continues to build robust and meaningful partnerships to be successful in increasing tree …

Celebrating Arbor Day in 2024!

By Julia Kast It’s almost “Arbor Month”! Time to start planning your celebrations and working on your proclamations.  Last year, over 100 amazing Arbor Day events took place throughout Washington - each community had their own spin on what makes their celebration special. Check out a handful of highlights from last year’s celebrations that might …

Calling all K-12 Artists: Environmental Justice Art Contest is Now Live!

Drum roll please…. The 2nd annual Washington DNR Youth Art Contest is now live and accepting artwork until 9 p.m. on April 12, 2024 from residents of Washington State K-12 students. This year’s contest theme is Environmental Justice (EJ). There are three topic areas related to the work of the Washington DNR and EJ: Wildfire …

Coordinator’s Corner – February 2024

By Ben Thompson Let’s dive right in because there is a lot to share: I’m proud to report that our Urban Forest Inventory and Analysis (UFIA) Project, which we are implementing in partnership with the USDA Forest Service, is gaining momentum for a successful launch this spring. Kudos to Daria Gosztyla and Zach Mellema from …