Using Forestry to Promote Recreation

Wednesday, April 22 | 1:55pm - 2:15pm 

Session Description: From a 10 acre forested lot to the millions of acres of forest land managed by private timber industry and State Agencies, the Forest Practice Rules govern how all public and private forests are managed in Washington State.  By using a Forest Practice, recreation infrastructure can be built more expediently and possibly produce revenue instead of costing money.  Learn how trails and major bridges were developed, and revenue produced in Reiter Foothills Forest using Forest Practices.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Get exposed to the Forest Practices Act.
  2. Learn from proven examples of using forestry to build recreation infrastructure.
  3. Learn where to go for more information and resources about Forest Practices.

Speakers: Benjamin Hale

About the Speakers: Ben Hale earned a Bachelor degree in Parks and Recreation Management from SUNY Cortland and a Master of Regional Planning from Cornell University.  Ben has been working for the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for the past five years implementing the Reiter Foothills Forest Recreation Plan.  The DNR is obligated to protect habitat for endangered and threatened species, to produce revenue for public services, and given the former two are not negatively impacted, provide safe and sustainable recreation opportunities. 

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