Click the "Start Writing" button to send a pre-written email to the Pierce County Council telling them to protect our mature forests!

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is currently planning six timber sales containing various types of mature forests in the Elbe Hills of southern Pierce County. This area, popular among hikers, bikers, equestrians and ATV riders, has already been hit hard by DNR clear-cutting over the past few decades. Now the DNR wants to clearcut even more, starting with the 100-year-old mature forest known as "Railroad Creek." CRF has spent the past five months surveying mature forests across Western WA. We have identified six timber sales containing mature forest in Pierce County that are scheduled for logging in the next 2 years. Download our report here.

Railroad Creek is a popular recreation area that contains the Elbe Hills trailhead and is just south of the Elbe Hills ORV Area Campground. There are many mature trees, including Douglas firs up to 57”, hemlocks up to 45”, and red cedars up to 61”. Preserving old forests in this fish-bearing tributary of the Nisqually River watershed is important for decreasing the risks of flooding downstream, keeping stream temperatures cool, and ensuring year round flow.

Most of these parcels will be logged in the next few years if action is not taken! Please join us in telling Pierce County Council to advocate for these mature forests to be conserved.

Our mature forests are worth saving, and your support can make a difference. Please take a moment to send this comment, and please share it with 5 friends and family members who are Pierce residents. Council members need to hear from as many of their constituents as possible in the next few weeks in order for them to take action. Let's work together to protect our natural treasures and ensure a sustainable future for Pierce County.

Q: What are mature forests?

A: Mature forests are structurally complex and carbon dense and at the stage before becoming an old growth forest. These forests help keep water clean, stabilize land during heavy rains and floods, keep carbon out of the atmosphere, and protect salmon-bearing streams. They also provide excellent wildlife habitat for a range of native species, many of which depend on mature forests to survive.