What does sustainable forestry really look like—and how does it shape the buildings we design and construct? Join Port Blakely for a two-hour, in-the-field learning experience created specifically for architects, engineers, and contractors.

Led by forestry professionals, this accredited tour takes you deep into a working forest to explore how responsible forest management supports climate-smart design, local material sourcing, and long-term environmental stewardship. Walk the landscape, ask questions, and see firsthand how forests and the built environment are deeply connected.

2-Hour Forest Tour — A Living Classroom Experience

• AIA Course #: IPB06A - view details
• GBCI Course #: 0920031377 - view details (requires USGBC login)

Join us for a guided forest tour designed for AEC professionals. Explore sustainable forestry practices, forest ecology, and the journey of timber from seedling to structure — all in a working forest setting.

What You'll Learn:

• Benefits of growing Douglas-fir on extended rotations for stronger, premium-grade wood
• Environmental co-benefits like biodiversity, carbon sequestration, and wildlife habitat
• The economic and environmental advantages of sourcing local timber
• How regulations, certification, and conservation shape forest management

Tour Details: Each tour runs from 9:30 am to 12:00 pm and includes a guided walk through the forest, highlighting key topics in sustainable forestry, with lunch provided. Tour locations vary by date and include Olympia, WA and Molalla, OR.

Upcoming Tour Dates:

Molalla, OR:

• Friday, May 9th, 2025
• Friday, July 11th, 2025

Olympia, WA:

• Monday, June 16th, 2025
• Thursday, July 17th, 2025

Register or Learn More:

• Download Full Course Description (PDF)

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