Forests in the Pacific Northwest

All Hands, All Lands: Cross-boundary collaboration for the more effective management and conservation of fully functioning mature and old forests in the Pacific Northwest, now and into the future.

Pacific Northwest mature and old forests are critical to the economic, environmental, and social wellbeing of the region. They currently span across a checkerboard of different landowners with a variety of  regulations and funding streams to conserve and manage them.  This results in a lack of coordination and collaboration across lands and sectors, which is to the detriment of fully functioning forests and the many benefits they provide. With ongoing and emerging changes in the landscape, this is an important moment to forge new partnerships.

At this intimate retreat, we will aim to develop shared language, frameworks, and understanding in order to address the common challenges that affect our forests. Through deep discussion, we will develop strategies that resonate across boundaries and spur action to support forest health, climate benefits, clean water, wildlife habitat, livelihoods and communities.

In addition to brainstorming policy, financial, management and other solutions, this gathering offers a chance for multi-sector thought leaders to slow down and restore themselves within the forests. VCI believes that trusting relationships are the linchpin of successful collaboration and that nature is a partner in providing respite and insights as we work to create systemic change.