Karen Ripley Program Manager

Forest Health ProgramProvide forest insect and disease technical assistance to state and private forest landowners, policy makers and the public.

Provide financial assistance for treatments that increase forest health.

Staff 2004: P E TT s = 4.52014: M PP EE T P s = 7.5 +3

Karen Ripley ManagerDan Omdal PathologistAmy Ramsey-Kroll PathologistGlenn Kohler EntomologistMike Johnson EntomologistAleksandar Dozic Aerial Survey, GISChuck Hersey Environmental PlannerVacant Summer Trapper

Federal grants (Western Bark Beetle) and recent State Capital funds have also supported about 3 FTEs for Landowner Assistance Program

Relationship with FHP Staff:• Aerial Survey• Collaborative monitoring

and reporting• Cooperate to deliver

training• Professional memberships

and meetings• Doug Daoust and Connie

Mehmel on Commissioner’s Technical Advisory Committee in 2012

Strategies

• Competent, versatile and very productive staff• Close cooperation with Landowner Assistance• Highest priority to land managers or

“multipliers”

• 2004 Forest Health Strategic Plan• 2006 Wildland Fire Protection Strategic Plan• 2010 Forest Action Plan

• RCW 76.06 Forest Health Hazard Warning

Raise awareness of forest health

Technical Advisory CommitteeInteraction with Tribal and County GovernmentsPublic meetings

2012 Declaration of two “Forest Health Hazard Warning Areas”

Mail to 10,500 landowners, advertising, 16 workshops, costshare funding

Interface with Stewardship

• Technical assistance delivery• Landowner education event coordination

(e.g. Coached Planning Classes, Field Days) • Cost share funding • Mike Johnson co-located in Colville• Articles for the bi-monthly Small Forest

Landowner Office Newsletter and the quarterly Forest Stewardship Notes

• Tree Improvement: Nursery and Seed Orchard staff and western white pine testing

Western Bark Beetle Funding• At least 50% of each grant supports private forest

landowner cost share. • Thinning, slash disposal, plans, pruning (rare) • Administered parallel with other Landowner

Assistance grant programs under “Eastern Washington Forest Landowner Cost-share Information and Application” rules– Landowner: Contact DNR, sign agreement– DNR: Visit, obligate, verify, pay

• Special activities such as educational signs

Pest Information website?

On Forest Health Site:• Hazard Warning Area• Annual Highlights• Program Description• DNR Publications• Link to FIDLs• Civil Rights• Contact information

Excellent support from DNR Communications

“Apply Online to Improve Forest Health and

Reduce Wildfire Risks”

→

www.dnr.wa.gov

Invasive Species Priorities

• Phytophthora ramorum• Ips paraconfusus • Have specific funding for surveys and

reporting. • Forest landowner or industry impact.

• Other Actions: Highlights report, comment letters to WSDA, landowner education

Complement of Activities• Acres treated with cost share funds (target:

4660/yr)• Landowner contacts (target: 1600/yr)• Monitoring (Aerial surveys, Pheromone trapping,

Evaluation Monitoring, Demonstration sites)• San Poil – Kettle Incentive Pilot• Timber sale “qualification”• Data management • North Central Washington Forest Health

Collaborative• Environmental Education for Youth or Students

Accomplishment Reporting:

• Progress reports with monthly grant invoices• Annual reports for each open grant• Final close out reports specific to each grant

• Informal “Program Update” at the annual Region 6 Technical Meeting

• Participation in professional meetings

Aerial Survey Plane/Pilot and Data

Opportunities for Addressing Laminated Root Rot

http://www.dnr.wa.gov/ResearchScience/Topics/ForestHealthEcology/Pages/rp_foresthealth.aspx

www.dnr.wa.gov/foresthealth