Stepping into 2026
2025 has been a wild ride as years go, hasn’t it? No need to go into it all, as I am sure you are very aware of what has been happening all year. It is exhausting just to think about it.
But at Our Forest Fund in 2025, we have been keeping steady, raising funds to save trees. Just keeping our eyes on the prize, so to speak. The prize is pretty simple: it is saving 1000 acres of trees in Port Gamble Forest Heritage Park.
Simple, but big.
Big, but achievable.
It is achievable because we have you, our subscribers and supporters. It is achievable because as the effects of climate change have begun to amass and proliferate, we know, as you know, that saving forest is the most efficacious thing we can do to leave the environment stronger, now and for generations.
For the first time, we asked businesses to contribute to a matching fund, and then we asked Our Forest Fund supporters to match the pledges. A phenomenal $25,000+ was raised in the month of November! We have another pledge drive planned for this spring as well. Currently our coffers stand at $252,288, a quarter of the way to our goal of $1,000,000.
We have applied for funding from the Washington State legislature, and hope that you found the time to send in a quick email to your state legislator urging them to back this funding. Did you forget? It’s ok — there is still time to tell them why you want these trees saved:
- Greg.Nance@leg.wa.gov
- Tarra.Simmons@leg.wa.gov
- Drew.Hansen@leg.wa.gov
Be sure to put “Port Gamble Trees” in the email subject line.
In 2026 we will also concentrate on additional government funding sources, and on getting grants and donations from charitable foundations and corporations. You can help in this task as well, by contacting your employer or bank or any business you patronize which has a charitable giving program to put Our Forest Fund on their radar. Are you a member of an organization that could mobilize to raise funds for saving trees? We’d love to work with you!
A Parting Thought as We Say Goodbye to 2025
The world is changing, but then, of course it always has. Everything gets hyped up and everything is code red catastrophe. It is crazy-making. But remain centered, work locally, and do what you can to save forest. A forest will endure, and is a safe haven for so many species even as it helps to mitigate the worst consequences of human folly.
