Reducing Wildfire Risk in San Juan Forests

DATE: Friday, August 8th, 2026

TIME: 9:30am - 3:30pm

LOCATION: Orcas Island, WA

Wildfire risk is increasing across the San Juan Islands—but there are practical strategies landowners can use to protect their forests while supporting long-term forest health.

Join Northwest Natural Resource Group (NNRG), San Juan Islands Conservation District, and Rainshadow Consulting for a free, in-depth field workshop exploring how to reduce wildfire risk and improve forest resilience through ecological forestry practices. Hosted at a local family forest, this workshop will help participants deepen their understanding of wildfire risk in the San Juans, learn how to evaluate forest health, plan for desired future conditions, and more!

Topics

Instruction will be a combination of lecture, demonstration, and hands-on activities, including:

• San Juan Fire Ecology 101: Understanding historic fire regimes, the consequences of fire suppression, and how to evaluate fire risk in a forest.
• Climate Adaptation & Forests: Which native species are well-suited for the anticipated future climate of this region. Sourcing native tree species from other regions. 
• Forest Management Goals & Options: Strategies for reducing fire risk, improving timber growth and quality, emulating natural fire disturbance in your forest, and increasing resilience to climate change.
• Thinning Strategies for Improving Forest Resilience to Wildfire: When and how to use pre-commercial and commercial thinning. When is a "commercial harvest" (one in which the timber is sold off) feasible versus a "pre-commercial harvest" (one in which the timber is too small to be commercially viable)?
• Fuel Breaks & Defensible Space: Designing buffers that slow fire and protect structures
• Planning: What to know before conducting a harvest, and how to navigate state and county requirements
• Funding Forest Stewardship: How to fund your forest health work through cost-share programs.

Participants are encouraged to bring a sack lunch and water for the day. The workshop will take place entirely outdoors.

Instruction from professional foresters will be a combination of lecture, demonstration, and hands-on activities. The workshop includes a break for lunch, informal Q&A sessions, and opportunities to connect with forestry professionals and fellow landowners.

Accessibility Information

The tour will take place entirely outdoors on uneven forest terrain, including grassy pastures, small trails, and areas with exposed roots or small inclines. Participants can expect to walk approximately 1–2 miles at a leisurely pace over the course of the event.

The site is mostly flat to gently rolling, but some sections may be muddy, especially if it has rained recently. Walking sticks or trekking poles are recommended for those who would find them helpful. If you would like to sit during portions of the workshop, we recommend bringing a portable stool.

Free Site Visits

Participants can sign up for a limited number of free two-hour site visits with the speakers. During the site visit, the forester will help landowners refine plans for managing their forest and answer site-specific questions. To register for a free site visit, please email a2lyayB8IG5ucmcgISBvcmc=.

Speakers

Kirk Hanson | Director of Forestry | Northwest Natural Resource Group

Kai Hoffman-Krull | Forest Health Manager | San Juan Islands Conservation District

Carson Sprenger | Forester, Restoration Ecologist, Fire Ecologist | Rainshadow Consulting

Workshop presented by

Northwest Natural Resource Group is a nonprofit organization that strengthens the ecological and economic vitality of Northwest forests and communities by connecting people with the knowledge, skills, and resources they need to steward their land. We advance the state of knowledge about ecological forestry, spread the word about its benefits and feasibility, and help landowners put it into practice on their own forests.

The mission of the San Juan Islands Conservation District is to promote the stewardship of county natural resources through education, implementing natural resource conservation practices, and fostering a stewardship ethic in partnership with landowners, residents, agencies, tribes, and other organizations. To support our local community in taking action to address climate change. As one of Washington State's 45 non-regulatory Conservation Districts, we help residents throughout the San Juan Islands achieve their goals for land stewardship and productivity.

Founded in 2005, Rain Shadow Consulting provides an array of tree care, environmental, and forestry services to clients throughout the San Juan Islands and beyond.

Funding and Support

This workshop is offered at no cost thanks to support from USDA NIFA Western Extension Risk Management Education. This material is based upon work supported by USDA/NIFA under Award Number 2023-70027-40445.

Also check out other Workshops in Eastsound, Health & Wellness events in Eastsound, Trips & Adventurous Activities in Eastsound.