The Rate of Urbanization and
Forest Harvest in Thurston County, 1985-2000

Rate of Urbanization:  Results from a satellite imagery-based study show that more than 32,000 acres of lands were converted from intact forest lands, agricultural lands, or large expanses of shrubby vegetation to urban lands between 1985 and 2000 in Thurston County.  Urbanization has resulted in changes in the urban land cover, or built land cover, of the county.  Total land area covered by built or urban features has increased by 1 percent as a whole over the last 15 years. 

Rate of Forest Harvest:  Thurston County's forests are in a constant state of flux.  In addition to being subject to urbanization, most of the commercial forest lands also undergo cycles of harvest and replanting.  It is estimated that between 1985 and 2000, almost 56,000 acres of land were in the forest harvest cycle, for an average annual rate of approximately 4,000 acres per year.  Forest lands account for 282,000 acres of public and private forests, as well as parks, reserves, and other forested lands in Thurston County.
 

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