Mission: The Pacific Forest Trust works to enhance, restore and preserve the private productive forestlands of the Pacific Northwest, with a focus on California, Oregon and Washington. PFT’s goal is to keep private forests healthy, whole and diverse so they can provide a wide range of services. The organization was founded by concerned landowners, foresters, conservationists and some of the nation’s most experienced land protection experts.
PFT is a land trust for working forestlands, and specializes in the use of conservation easements; a center for research, education and innovation in stewardship forestry; and a policy institute promoting incentives that will encourage landowners to practice long-term forest stewardship. PFT is the only organization working exclusively to preserve the private, productive forests of the Pacific Northwest.
Programs: Land Trust Services: The Pacific Forest Trust cooperates with forest owners ranging from large industrial companies to families, individuals and Indian tribes, to help them design conservation easements that work for them. With years of on-the-ground experience in this field, PFT acquires and monitors easements that protect forests from undesired development and guide their management.
Stewardship Forestry: Through research and education, PFT puts better tools and information in the hands of those whose decisions shape our forests. Our goal is to promote a greater understanding and application of stewardship forestry in the Pacific Northwest. PFT cooperates with some of the nation?s top forestry experts to publish current findings on the economic and ecological benefits of diverse, natural forestlands.
Policy Institute: PFT develops and promotes policy initiatives that will increase incentives and financial returns to landowners who conserve their forests. Whether in tax policy, landowner assistance programs, or the development of new markets for forest ecosystem services -- such as carbon sequestration to reduce global warming -- the Pacific Forest Trust works closely with the public and with policy-makers to craft policies that advance long-term forest stewardship.
Communications:The Pacific Forest Trust is helping build a culture that values forests. Public recognition of the value and contributions of private forests is essential to the long-term preservation of these forests. To achieve this goal, PFT produces books and magazine articles; maintains a 45-page website (www.pacificforest.org); publishes opinion and editorial pieces in the media; publicizes achievements in forest conservation and stewardship forestry; issues a quarterly newsletter; and conducts seminars and workshops.
I'm rather passionate in my work to combat climate change, and identifying and contributing to organizations that I believe can help lead us to a more sustainable future. When I was introduced to Pacific Forest Trust, I believed - and this was based largely on promises from the organization's founder - that the return on investment in the organization would be substantial for keeping older forests intact. Unfortunately, after repeated attempts to better understand how my contribution was being used (ie. quantifying the ROI), I was essentially told that I didn't need to worry about it. It was both an arrogant and incredibly alarming reply. If you are considering a contribution to this organization, I advise that you first gain a clear understanding in writing of how your donation will be invested.
Pacific Forest Trust is an accredited land trust. Accreditation means Pacific Forest Trust meets national quality standards for protecting important natural places and working lands forever. Pacific Forest Trust has demonstrated to the Land Trust Accreditation Commission its commitment to excellence. Accredited land trusts meet national quality standards for protecting important natural places and working lands forever. These land trusts demonstrate their commitment to excellence by adopting Land Trust Standards and Practices, the ethical and technical guidelines for the responsible operation of a land trust, and meeting the accreditation requirements drawn from them. Learn More: http://www.landtrustaccreditation.org/about.
PFT is an excellent advocate for private forest land. They do traditional conservation easements, forest stewardship, and are pioneers in the mitigation of climate change through carbon sequestration with our planets natural "lungs". PFT has been successful in having forests incorporated into state and federal climate change legislation. They are extremely knowledgeable in maximizing both the natural benefits of forests and the ecosystem services they provide, as well as the economic benefits for the private forest owner.
