Sunnie Merritt

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 coastal forest resilience

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...