Noxious weeds are invasive, non-native plants that threaten agricultural crops, local ecosystems, or fish & wildlife habitats.

By learning more about invasive species in Washington, you can help protect our natural environment. Click here to visit Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s invasive species webpage, https://wdfw.wa.gov/get-involved/educational-resources/invasive-species

See it? Say something! There are several different ways to report an invasive species. Mobile app: WA Invasives for iOS and Android
Website: https://invasivespecies.wa.gov/report-a-sighting/

Here are some recent invasive species in our area: (options below will be drop downs)

• Spotted lanternfly/Tree-of-Heaven: Spotted lanternfly, an invasive pest, is particularly attracted to tree-of-heaven. Adults prefer to feed and lay eggs upon the tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus altissima), a Class C noxious weed in Washington State. Avoid planting tree-of-heaven on your property, and consider safely removing any that already might be present. You can download a PDF Fact Sheet at https://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/profile/spotted-lanternfly.
• This summer, two graduates of the interagency Oregon Forest Pest Detector program submitted separate reports on the Oregon Invasives Online Hotline of a suspicious insect damaging native twinberry (Lonicera involucrata). In both cases, the damage occurred on landscape plants in residential areas in Portland. After samples were gathered, the insect was found to be Agrilus cyanescens), an exotic species from Europe that has been established in the northeast U.S. since at least 1921. This insect is in the same genus as the emerald ash borer. Other known hosts of A. cyanescens include honeysuckles (Lonicera sp.). This discovery is the first report of this insect on the West Coast.
  
  Click here for a brief scientific note about the discovery. Attached is a brief scientific note about the discovery. For more information on invasive species found in Clark County, learn more about the Noxious Weed Management program.

Southwest Washington Small Forest Lands Conservation Fact Sheet (PDF)

• The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), part of the U.S. Agriculture Department, has funds to help landowners develop forest management plans. To find out how to apply for funding, contact Lisa Schuchman at 360.324.0469 or lisa.schuchman@wa.usda.gov. 
• The American Forest Foundation has an online resource for forest landowners to help them manage their woodlands. Easy-to-use tools help guide forest landowners in mapping their property, setting goals, keeping a journal and connecting with foresters and other woodland owners. My Land Plan helps forest landowners get the most out of their woodlands. For more information, visit the American Forest Foundation's My Land Plan website.

The WSU Clark County Extension Master Gardener program has recently launched a Heritage Tree program to recognize special trees located in areas that do not have Heritage Tree programs (cities that do include Vancouver and Ridgefield).

Here is a link to more information and the nomination form: Heritage Trees Flyer Nomination. Submit a nomination form via email to erika.d.johnson@wsu.edu or in person at the address below.

For more information, contact:

Erika Johnson
1919 NE 78th Street
Vancouver, WA 98665
Email: erika.d.johnson@wsu.edu
Phone: 360-397-6060 x 5738

Drought Stress

• Western Oregon conifers continue to show damage due to drought
• Forest Health Fact Sheet
• Why is my Tree Dying?
• How drought stress and climate change affect Washington’s trees.  

Eastside Landowners & Managers - Please see the link below created by the WA Dept Natural Resources featuring ponderosa pine forest restoration.  This educational event will occur in SW WA, but the excellent video is available here.  

Old Growth Forest Video Poster (PDF)

Forest lands can be managed so they are fire resilient without sacrificing wildlife habitat and reducing ecosystem function.

Learn more about what you can do by watching this 6 minute video featuring Ken Bevis, a stewardship fish and wildlife biologist with the Washington State Department of Natural Resources.

[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bVRJDl15-M&feature=youtu.be]

The Washington State University Forestry and Wildlife Extension provides a directory of forestry and silviculture professionals available for private landowners to hire.

The Washington State Consulting Forester and Silvicultural Contractor Directory includes contact information, services provided, bonding and insurance information, experience and counties served.

Clark County provides a list of arborists as a resource for county residents, but the county does not recommend or endorse any specific arborist.
Local arborists (PDF)

If you are a local arborist and would like to be added to this list, please contact:

Hunter Decker, County Forester
Clark County Public Works
564.397.4852
hunter.decker@clark.wa.gov.

The Washington Contract Loggers Association maintains a list of individuals and companies, including those in the association's St. Helens Chapter.

Current Use is the term commonly used to describe tax deferral programs designed by the Washington Legislature to support and protect land designated for farming and other resource use.

• Designated Forest Lands Program (Clark County Assessor)
• Open Space Timber Lands Program (Clark County Assessor)

Fire Science Online has information about careers, internships and volunteer opportunities: www.firescience.org/forestry-careers.