Better managing your private forest

In 1993, Leslie Coulter and Bruce Santy bought 10 acres of woods and wetlands at the end of a dirt road near Cranberry Lake. They started building on the property two years later.

The couple, who moved to Mason County from King County, say they felt "overwhelmed" when it came to managing the land.

"Our forest is not here for making money," Coulter said. "It's here to create something that's healthy and happy.

"We wanted to be in the woods, but what can we do to not to screw things up?"

A few years ago, the couple called the state Department of Natural Resources for guidance. From a visiting forester, they learned it was OK to thin the number of trees to create a more open canopy. They introduced new species to diversify the plants. They created piles of natural compost. They pulled Scotch broom by hand.

Now, "We're improving," Coulter said. "We're interacting."

The state DNR recently made private land planning easier by creating a new web platform designed to help private landowners navigate the resources the department provides.

Users will find 34 of the most common subjects sorted into four categories: resources for managing your forest, keeping your forest healthy, education and training, and permits and regulations. The information includes financial and technical assistance for fuels reduction, wildlife stewardship and wildfire preparedness.

"This new tool is a one-stop shop for private forestland in Washington," Hilary Franz, the state commissioner of public lands, said in a news release. "We are making transformational investments in our landowner assistance programs with the goal of keeping Washington the Evergreen State. Easier access to information on forest health, stewardship and wildlife prevention will help landowners protect their homes and forests. Healthy forests, no matter what size, provide benefits to all who live in Washington."

The agency used funding from House Bill 1168 to create more than two dozen new positions in support of landowner assistance. The department will also offer an expanded service forestry program to western Washington beginning later this year. The Landowner Assistance Portal is on the department's website at http://www.dnr.wa.gov.

On a recent day, the couple toured their property with four agency employees: Matthew Axe, the South Puget Sound forest resiliency district manager; Jon Johnson, a forest service specialist; former Journal reporter Natalie Johnson, now the forest practices communications manager; and Emily Fales, a forest resiliency specialist for the South Puget Sound Region.

"Fire is an issue ... a diverse, healthy forest has more resiliency," Axe said.

Fales said thinning is a common question. Local invasive species include Scotch broom, thistle, cut-leaf blackberry, holly and English ivy, she said.

Financial assistance is available for a forester to provide a land management plan, or a forest stewardship plan for more than 20 acres, Fales said. The department also can help landowners reforest an area after a fire, she said.

The couple has spotted coyotes, cougars, bears, bobcats, hawks, eagles and osprey on their property. They enjoy what the Japanese call "forest bathing."