King County Rural Forest Commission now recruiting members for 2027-2030 term

King County’s forests have long been central to the identity, heritage, and resilience of rural communities across the region. From private working forests to wooded neighborhoods nestled between ridgelines, these landscapes are places where people build family traditions, sustain livelihoods, connect with nature—and increasingly, confront challenges such as wildfire risk and ecological change.

To help guide the stewardship of these vital lands, the Rural Forest Commission (RFC) is now recruiting new members for its 2027 term, seeking individuals with deep ties to and perspectives on the future of King County’s forested areas.

A group of people in outdoor gear and safety vests stand in a clearing surrounded by young plants, listening to a field leader who gestures toward restoration work in a forested area.
Rural Forest Commissioners, King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks, and members of the public tour a restoration site during a field day at Flaming Geyser State Park in 2026.

The RFC serves as a public advisory body to King County, offering expertise and lived experience that shapes policy, preserves working forests, and strengthens strategies for wildfire hazard reduction and long‑term forest health. The commission is built intentionally from a diverse cross‑section of forest‑related sectors to ensure decisions reflect the complexity of rural forest landscapes.

A commission built from the community it serves

The Rural Forest Commission draws its strength from the diversity of people who care for, work in, and rely on King County’s forests. Commissioners represent private rural forest landowners, advocates for non-timber forest values, affected Indian Tribes, consumers or users of local forest products, academic or professional foresters, rural cities, and the Washington State Department of Natural Resources. 

A group of people wearing outdoor clothing stand together on a rocky riverbank, posing for a photo with a forested backdrop and a river behind them.
Rural Forest Commissioners, King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks, and members of the public pose for a group photo along the Green River during a field day at Flaming Geyser State Park in 2026.

Members bring a working knowledge of forestry in King County, a commitment to supporting sustainable forest practices, and a willingness to collaborate across different viewpoints. Each volunteer commits to a minimum three‑year term, helping guide policies that support healthy, resilient forests and the communities connected to them.

“Each member of the Rural Forest Commission brings a unique story—one tied to place, stewardship, and community,” said Wendy Sammarco, King County Stewardship Forester and Liaison to the Rural Forest Commission. “We rely on these perspectives to help shape policies that protect our forests and the people who depend on them. We encourage anyone passionate about the future of King County’s forests to consider applying.”

Key dates

Recruitment will end on October 31, 2026. Interested candidates should apply through King County’s application link by the October 31 deadline.

Contact

To learn more about Commission roles, interested parties may contact King County Stewardship Forester and Liaison to the Rural Forest Commission Wendy Sammarco at wsammarco@kingcounty.gov.