|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready… |
Editor’s note: The following is a press release from King County’s Department of Natural Resources and Parks.
King County’s forests have long been central to the identity, heritage, and resilience of rural communities across the region. From private working forests to wooded neighborhoods nestled between ridgelines, these landscapes are places where people build family traditions, sustain livelihoods, connect with nature—and increasingly, confront challenges such as wildfire risk and ecological change.
To help guide the stewardship of these vital lands, the Rural Forest Commission is now recruiting new members for its 2027 term, seeking individuals with deep ties to and perspectives on the future of King County’s forested areas.
The Commission serves as a public advisory body to King County, offering expertise and lived experience that shapes policy, preserves working forests, and strengthens strategies for wildfire hazard reduction and long‑term forest health. The commission is built intentionally from a diverse cross‑section of forest‑related sectors to ensure decisions reflect the complexity of rural forest landscapes
A COMMISSION BUILT FROM THE COMMUNITY IT SERVES
The Rural Forest Commission draws its strength from the diversity of people who care for, work in, and rely on King County’s forests. Commissioners represent private rural forest landowners, advocates for non-timber forest values, affected Indian Tribes, consumers or users of local forest products, academic or professional foresters, rural cities, and the Washington State Department of Natural Resources.
Members bring a working knowledge of forestry in King County, a commitment to supporting sustainable forest practices, and a willingness to collaborate across different viewpoints. Each volunteer commits to a minimum three‑year term, helping guide policies that support healthy, resilient forests and the communities connected to them.
“Each member of the Rural Forest Commission brings a unique story—one tied to place, stewardship, and community,” said Wendy Sammarco, King County Stewardship Forester and Liaison to the Rural Forest Commission. “We rely on these perspectives to help shape policies that protect our forests and the people who depend on them. We encourage anyone passionate about the future of King County’s forests to consider applying.”
KEY DATES
Recruitment will end on Oct. 31. Interested candidates should apply through King County’s application link by the deadline.
CONTACT
To learn more about Commission roles, interested parties can contact King County Stewardship Forester and Liaison to the Rural Forest Commission Wendy Sammarco at [email protected].
