Forestry Department

Community

Purchased first timberland tract of 16,000 acres in 1952
Currently own and manage over 117,000 acres of timberland in Washington and Idaho for forest products, wildlife habitat, clean water, and public recreation
Supply raw material to support local sawmills and associated wood products jobs
An active member of the Twin Lakes, Newman Lake, Spirit Lake, and Hauser Lake associations
Sponsor forestry education opportunities for local teachers
Promote integration of State Park system and private timberlands for public recreation
Extend Mt. Spokane winter recreation activities onto IEP’s private timberland
Donate seedlings and sponsor tree planting activities
Provide public outreach programs to educate community groups about forestry activities

First in the region to create a program which allows public access to private timberlands for recreation and outdoor activities
Charter and active member of several research groups dedicated to improving forest health
Conserve forest nutrients through harvest debris retention
Supply bio-energy facilities with residual harvest debris when feasible

Committed to sustainable forest management
Enhance biodiversity by planting a site appropriate mix of tree species
Plant on average over 500,000 tree seedlings each year
Planted 14 millionth tree in 2017
Exceed state standards for stream buffers, tree retention, reforestation, and road design
Watershed protection through careful road design, maintenance, and removal; stream rehabilitation; balanced harvests; and managed recreation use
Prescribed burns to safely reduce wildfire hazards