King County 30 Year Forest Plan
Forests For Our Future
One of the signature elements of our region is our vibrant forests.
In rural and urban communities throughout King County, forests store carbon and provide climate benefits, improve water and air quality, enhance habitat for salmon and other wildlife, reduce polluted stormwater runoff in our communities and waterways, offer recreational opportunities, and provide cool shade for streams and sidewalks.
As part of our Strategic Climate Action Plan, we are developing a 30-Year Forest Plan, which will serve as a shared vision to guide our work on forest cover and forest health.
Many actions will achieve multiple benefits, but we are most successful when we prioritize our efforts to achieve shared goals. As we develop the plan that will guide our investments and actions with partners over the next three decades, we asked partners and stakeholders to tell us:
What is most important to you? Should we prioritize confronting climate change? Or improving human health outcomes? Or promoting healthy forests in King County Parks? Or enhancing habitat? Or something else?
What are the most important actions King County can take with partners over the next 30 years? Should we focus on improving the health of existing forests or preserving additional forestland? Should we plant trees in areas where there is lower tree cover or should we plant more trees near rivers and streams?
We have summarized the input we heard (248 KB) and the priorities that emerged in our 30-Year Forest Plan Outreach Summary Report (185 KB). We continue to welcome your ideas as we finalize goals, develop strategies, and create pilot projects between now and December 2020.
To provide input or for more information, contact forestplan@kingcounty.gov.
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The benefits of healthy forests
Storing carbon and providing climate benefits
Offering a shady respite that cools streams and sidewalks
Enhancing salmon and other wildlife habitat
Providing wood and non-timber products
Hosting recreational opportunities
Improving water and air quality, which have environmental and human health benefits
Reducing stormwater runoff
Contributing to our overall quality of life and framing our region with beautiful, scenic views
Providing cultural resources and supporting cultural heritage and historic values
We will collect input to understand which benefits are the highest priorities and develop strategies to enhance those benefits.
How to get involved
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Phase 1
March - July, 2019
Collect input within King County and through one-on-one meetings with partners.
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Phase 2
August - December, 2019
Host workshops to collect input from partners and stakeholders involved in rural and urban forestry.
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Phase 3
January - March, 2020
Compose a summary report that synthesizes the information we receive throughout the engagement process and identifies the top priorities.
Distribute the summary report for review and input.
Host an online survey to collect input on the priorities identified, as well as anything we might have missed.
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Phase 4
April - November, 2020
Compile information collected though the online survey.
Outline strategies to reach priority goals and measures to assess progress.
Outline strategies for monitoring and measuring progress towards goals.
Prepare a draft of the plan and solicit additional input.
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Phase 5
December, 2020
Finalize the 30-Year Forest Plan.
