This podcast episode from Oregon State University’s Extension Service covers community forests in the Pacific Northwest and their role in the community-based conservation movement. Hosted by Jake Barker, the discussion features Daniel Wear from Sustainable Northwest. They explore the definition, goals, and management practices of community forests, emphasizing the significance of maintaining water quality, fire risk mitigation, and timber revenue through community-led initiatives. Key examples include the Arch Cape Community Forest and Montesano City Forest, showcasing varying structures and benefits. Funding challenges and sources are also discussed, along with the role of the Northwest Community Forest Coalition in supporting new and existing community forests.
Daniel leads Sustainable Northwest’s Community Forest Program which includes his facilitation of the Northwest Community Forest Coalition along with his direct support to communities in protecting their drinking water supplies through forest management. Daniel earned an MPA in Environmental Policy and Management from the University of Washington, with the goal of helping conservation non-profits connect communities to the resources needed for landscape protection. Daniel loves biking of all kinds, camping, and if possible, a combination of the two.
“One of the things I will say about community forests is that there’s a lot of creative approaches that can be taken to buying forest land.”
– Daniel Wear, Forest Program Manager at Sustainable NW.
