Submitted by Kai Hoffman-Krull.

In 2019, the San Juan Islands Conservation District launched the San Juan County Forest Health Collaborative in coordination with public land management agencies throughout the archipelago. The Forest Health Collaborative is designed to identify and coordinate management projects that improve forest health throughout the region, enhance community education around ecological forestry, and reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire. In 2021-2022 the Forest Health Collaborative coordinated nearly a quarter of a million dollars in forest health management projects on San Juan Island, Orcas Island, Shaw Island, and Waldron Island.

The SJC Forest Health Collaborative is expanding this year to include community stakeholders in ecological forestry, such as forestry consultants, forestry contractors, and small forest landowners. The program is looking for feedback from stakeholders, and has recently launched a survey to better understand the interests from a consortium of forestry stakeholders, as well as establish priorities for initial projects and educational topics. To access the survey, please access the link below: https://arcg.is/1uGXuL

Thank you for your feedback and we look forward to working with you to build a culture of resilient forestry in the San Juan Islands.