Local communities interested in having lands included in the Community Forest Trust now have the chance to file their request thanks to an initiative by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR), which will accept nominations until June 2, 2014.

Since its inception in 2011, the DNR Community Forest Trust program actively works to protect working forestlands that support and benefit communities—economically and culturally. The DNR initiative addresses a relevant matter, considering that since the 1980s, more than one sixth (17%) of Western Washington forests have been converted to other land uses.

“As working forests vanish, so do many benefits for communities, including local timber, natural resources jobs, clean air and water, and recreation,” DNR stated via press release.

Those interested in filing a request for nomination need to file a form that can be downloaded from DNR’s website. A checklist with required materials and timeline for the process is also included.

For more information, please contact Jessica Payne, DNR Communications & Outreach Coordinator, at 360-902-1066 or by email at: jessica.payne@dnr.wa.gov