Our Work
Our six-part strategic plan starts with visiting, mapping, and documenting at-risk legacy forests. This provides us with the information we need to hold DNR accountable for the destruction of these forests, and pressure elected officials to protect them.
01
Mapping
To protect our remaining legacy forests, we must first identify where they are located. We use LiDAR data and DAP-derived age-based raster data, and an innovative pattern recognition routine in ArcGIS, to model and delineate legacy forests on state forestlands managed by DNR across Western Washington, and identify those that are at risk.
02
Data Collection
It is critical that we visit and document legacy forests that are at risk. The information that we collect is used to support our planning, public awareness, advocacy, and legal campaigns. In the process, volunteers develop an appreciation for these forests and share their experiences with others.
03
Photography
Most legacy forests are located in remote areas, and are difficult to access. Often there are no roads or hiking trails nearby. If no one sees them, then no one will know or care when they are gone. Our talented photographers and videographers allow us to experience these places, that we would otherwise never know exist, through their beautiful photographs and videos.
04
Planning & Analysis
We are using state-of-the-art software and mapping techniques, coupled with historic aerial photographs, and ground observations to develop forest conservation and restoration proposals in selected watersheds across Western Washington, and the short-term impacts of protecting and restoring those areas on projected timber revenue.
05
Advocacy
County commissioners and council members have tremendous influence over how state forest lands are managed. This is because many local taxing districts depend on the timber revenue they received from DNR. We are actively working with local elected officials to develop new ways to generate revenue for schools and other public services that protect our oldest, most biologically diverse forests.
06
Litigation
When all else fails, we take DNR to court to stop the clearcutting of our highest priority legacy forests. LFDC is lead plaintiff on three separate lawsuits against DNR, which challenge DNR for violating its statutory obligations to protect structurally complex forests. Our legal actions have already stopped three timber sales in Thurston, Jefferson, and King counties.
