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The county’s draft rules, buried in Title 17 zoning updates, slap some of the nation’s strictest regulations on commercial and hobbyist horse operations

Forest management is essential, but the method matters. Hand thinning offers a sustainable, low-disruption alternative to mechanical, prescribed, or chemical approaches, prioritizing ecosystem health over speed or scale.

Unlike younger forests, old growth isn't "pristine" in a static sense—it's dynamic, shaped by natural disturbances like windstorms or small fires. The DNR's guide for identifying old growth in western Washington emphasizes these traits over strict age, noting that true old growth often emerges after 200 years in wet coastal forests like those in Kitsap County.

When you hear "heritage park," you might envision a lush green space with trails, trees, and a nod to the past. Heritage parks are more than just scenic landscapes—they’re living tributes to a community’s history, culture, and natural beauty. In this blog, we’ll explore what defines a heritage park and why places like Banner Forest Heritage Park in Washington are so special.

Have you ever wondered if trees can talk to each other? Dr. Suzanne Simard, a forest ecologist from the University of British Columbia, thinks they do—and her Mother Tree Project is proving it! This amazing research shows how forests are like big, friendly families, and it could help save places like Banner Heritage Forest Park.

Fires are burning more intensely today with warmer temperatures and increased drought occurring now due to climate change. But what is needed to best protect biodiversity, overall forest health and people is a holistic ecosystem approach. Any thinning deemed scientifically necessary at Banner must be done carefully, judiciously, and with the goal in mind of protecting the older trees and enhancing the health of the forest and its species versus generating profit for logging c

Banner Forest, our lush 636-acre retreat in Kitsap County, thrives as a cool, moist haven for hikers, bikers, mushrooms, and wildlife....

In dry forests, thinning reduces ladder fuels (low branches that carry fire to treetops), helping prevent crown fires. But Banner Forest’s wet, coastal climate doesn’t face the same risks. Here, opening the canopy dries out the understory, inviting flammable weeds and debris—counterproductive to fire safety. Proforestation leverages Banner’s natural moisture to keep fire risk low, as supported by regional research (e.g., Washington Conservation Action’s 2021 findings on coast

Choosing proforestation, or passive management, means letting Banner Forest grow into a towering, carbon-storing, wildlife-friendly masterpiece. It’s a win for our trails, our planet, and our community. Share your thoughts at savebannerforest@gmail.com to keep Banner Forest wild and thriving!

Banner Forest, our 636-acre haven in Kitsap County, is a safe home for owls, frogs, deer, and more. Its thick trees keep animals happy...