Jan/Feb 2026
In this edition:
Invasive Weeding Party - Sunday March 29 @ 11am
Steering Committee meeting with Commissioner Upthegrove
Community Meeting and UWB Capstone Projects
Invasive Weeding Party - Sunday March 29 @ 11am
Our forest needs your help to keep the invasive weeds to a healthy level. Show your love for the forest by joining us in this inaugural weeding party and spend a couple of hours out in nature with like-minded, friendly people who care about the environment. In this event, we will focus on physically removing the invasive holly in the south side of Hooven Forest.
This event is hosted by Sno-Isle Sierra Club, and supported by Friends of Hooven Forest and UW Bothell student intern Cisco, whose Capstone project involves invasive plants mapping, education and strategy for Hooven Forest.
When: Sunday, March 29th, 11am - 1pm
Where: Meet at the South trail entrance of Hooven Forest at 170th Ave NE, Woodinville
REGISTER HERE - Family friendly, free and open to everyone, but pre‑registration is requested. More info on what to wear, bring, and expect is in the registration link.
Steering Committee meeting with Commissioner Upthegrove
In August 2025, Lands Commissioner Upthegrove signed a Commissioner’s Order to identify 77,000 acres of structurally complex and older forests across Western Washington to be managed in ways other than traditional industrial logging. The map of these 77,000 acres has since been updated after considerable feedback from the conservation community.
While Hooven Forest has been designated on this map as a Structurally Complex Forest (SCF), only the wetland portion of Hooven Forest has been identified by DNR as an “Area Managed for Ecological Value (AMEV)”. The majority of Hooven Forest remains “Westside DNR Managed Surface Lands”, which means they are still subject to timber harvest or sale by the DNR. After this announcement was made, Hooven Forest Steering Committee requested the opportunity to follow up with the Commissioner to brief him on the many community and educational activities happening in the Forest, as well as to hear from the Commissioner on his vision for the future of Hooven Forest.
On Tuesday, February 11, the Hooven Forest Steering Committee was pleased to meet by video with Commissioner Upthegrove and several of his staff members to brief them on the numerous community and educational projects happening in Hooven Forest. Dr. Amy Lambert from the University of Washington Bothell also joined the meeting. During the presentation, we described how Hooven Forest is situated between several other conservation areas, and provides watershed and wildlife services. We shared information on the many nature walks and tribal practices, the elementary school education program being developed for Wellington Elementary and highlighted especially our work as a Community Partner with the University of Washington Bothell Capstone projects described below. We also reiterated our desire to work with the Commissioner to preserve Hooven Forest as an intact, second growth Structurally Complex Forest ecosystem, with all the ecological, social and educational benefits it provides to current and future generations of Washington State residents.
The Commissioner repeated his promise that during his time in office, Hooven Forest would NOT be harvested for timber or the land sold. He also stated that he was not sure why Hooven Forest was not included in its entirety as an Area Managed for Ecological Value. The Commissioner explained that one of his next steps to preserve forested state lands with mature trees is to work toward developing new sources of revenue for our state which do not require timber harvests or land sales. One of these is a carbon sequestration program. The Steering Committee will be following up with the Commissioner’s staff on this program, as we continue to search for sources of money to allow the conservation of Hooven Forest in perpetuity.
Community Meeting and UWB Capstone Projects
Thank you to everyone who attended our January 15 evening meeting at Crystal Lake Clubhouse to hear about UW Bothell Capstone projects (below) and the Sno-Isle Sierra Club and Snohomish County League of Women Voters on how we can help protect our forested federal, state and county public lands (presentation, additional resources).
Through the Community Partnership with University of Washington Bothell (UWB) Ecology Department, we have three student projects underway in Hooven Forest. These projects have been in progress since October and are now in their most active stage of fieldwork. We will share the final conclusions of these studies after the academic quarter concludes in March/April.
Water Quality, led by UWB senior Adam P: This project scientifically tests water quality as it flows through Hooven Forest, comparing it to water quality further downstream. Through this work, we will increase our understanding of how Hooven Forest wetlands contribute to the overall health of the wider watershed’s water quality.
Invasive Species Mapping and Strategic Planning, led by UWB senior Cisco J: This project will help us understand how common, and where, invasive plant species are within Hooven Forest. It also provides a management plan for addressing these species. With this knowledge, the community can work toward keeping Hooven Forest healthy - be sure to join our inaugural weeding party on the 29th March that puts this plan into action!
Plant Inventory and Mapping, led by UWB seniors Benton K and Nathan F: This ambitious project systematically divides the forest into sections and samples them to create a comprehensive inventory of plant life. Through this project, we will gain a deeper understanding of the forest’s flora and be able to use the data for broader applications, such as comparisons with other legacy forests or as a foundation for educational field trips.
