Petition: End Clearcut Logging in Tiger Mountain State Forest
King County Council and Commissioner of Public Lands Dave Upthegrove
Tiger Mountain State Forest is one of King County's most ecologically important and culturally treasured landscapes. Yet over the next seven years, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) plans to log over 920 acres of Tiger Mountain's forests in what the department calls "variable retention harvests," i.e. clearcuts with a few scattered trees left standing.
Much of the areas at risk are among the mountain's last remaining native and structurally complex forests. These naturally biodiverse stands store massive amounts of carbon, reduce wildfire and flood risks, and provide invaluable opportunities in recreation, tourism, education, and scientific research.
King County deeded nearly 60% of Tiger Mountain’s lands to the DNR, which manages those lands on behalf of the county. This means our County Council is in a unique position to lead a new approach to forest management on Tiger Mountain—one that prioritizes ecological health, cultural stewardship, and community benefit over timber revenue alone.
Join us in urging the King County Council and Commissioner of Public Lands Dave Upthegrove to suspend all future variable retention harvests in Tiger Mountain State Forest. Sign the petition today to help protect this irreplaceable landscape for current and future generations!
Learn more: https://youtu.be/HHypmS5gOtc
Sponsored by
To:
King County Council and Commissioner of Public Lands Dave Upthegrove
From:
[Your Name]
We, the undersigned residents of King County, call for an immediate moratorium on all variable retention harvest (VRH) logging in Tiger Mountain State Forest.
Tiger Mountain’s naturally regenerated forests are among the most carbon-dense and biodiverse remaining in the Central Puget Sound region. Unlike homogeneous tree plantations, these increasingly rare ecosystems store massive amounts of carbon, provide critical habitat for endangered species, and mitigate flood and wildfire risk.
Tiger Mountain is also one of the most accessible and heavily used natural areas in King County, offering exceptional opportunities for hiking, biking, wildlife observation, environmental education and research. Its forests support a robust recreation and tourism economy while providing local residents and visitors alike with a vital connection to nature. The scenic beauty and tranquility of these landscapes are central to their value and would be irrevocably degraded by continued VRH commercial logging.
Located on the ancestral homelands of the Snoqualmie Tribe, Tiger Mountain holds deep cultural and historical significance. The area contains irreplaceable archaeological resources and remains integral to hunting, fishing, gathering, and other traditional practices.
Despite these crucial ecological and cultural values, the DNR continues to plan variable retention harvests in Tiger Mountain State Forest. Over the next seven years, DNR's timber sales threaten to clearcut over 920 acres, including some of the last remnants of native and structurally complex forest habitat on the mountain.
We respectfully urge the King County Council and Commissioner of Public Lands to join us in reimagining a more sustainable path for Tiger Mountain. Please suspend all future variable retention harvests in Tiger Mountain State Forest—for the benefit of our climate, wildlife, local communities, and future generations.