For the first time in almost two years, forest scientists will return to the skies over Washington to assess the health of our forestlands.
Flights covering more than 20 million acres were grounded in 2020 due to pandemic restrictions.
This week, scientists from the Department of Natural Resources and U.S. Department of Agriculture will resume aerial surveys to determine where and how trees are affected by insects, diseases, drought and other variables.
Scientists from the DNR and Forest Service used ground surveys and other methods last year to monitor about half of the 22 million acres usually observed in Washington.
The interagency partnership has conducted aerial surveys of Washington forests each summer dating back 1947.