metau resilient forests
Our Purpose
Having grown up in Eastern Washington, I have a great appreciation for the sights, fragrances, and textures of its landscape, especially the ponderosa pine. I'm passionate about enabling healthy and resilient forests through thoughtful thinning and plant management that meets my customer's goals while taking cues from the land and the plants.
With decades of experience pruning as well as experience thinning trees, firefighter type 2 certification and education in forestry and fire ecology, my purpose is to contribute to these great trees' bounty in Eastern Washington and enabling the people living near them to be safer from wildfire.
Sincerely, Wes Johns
Our Methods
As a licensed (METAURF801RU / Farm labor Contract #047-22), bonded, and insured contractor, Metau does this with hand tools that enable us to thin in any type of area including steep slopes and areas prone to ruts and erosion that can be damaged by equipment on wheels.
Our customers typically want to make their surroundings safer from wildfire and in some cases enable a healthier forest to encourage more wildlife and improve the aesthetics of their surroundings.
Wildfire Protection
As a volunteer firefighter with Chelan County #3 Fire Department, and certification as a firefighter type 2 with forestry and fire ecology education, as well as experience on prescribed burns, I have knowledge and a keen respect for fire and the measures necessary to manage its risks.
Slopes present a unique risk as fire moves fast up slopes. If your dwelling is on or near a slope, we'll prioritize this area in our thinning prescription. Otherwise, we'll discuss how to thoughtfully thin using Firewise® practices to achieve your goals.
Wildlife
Enabling a healthier ecosystem that is good habitat for a variety of animals is a noble goal. Nature is diverse, and with that we strive to mimic the diversity of wildlife's habitat. Individual (trees), Clumps (of trees), and Openings (space) (ICO) is the methodology we use to do this. Click for more about balancing fuel suppression with wildlife friendly habitat.
Healthy Trees
Maybe you want to ensure your biggest or favorite trees survive for generations of pleasure or for commercial harvest. We'll discuss your tree priorities and ensure the trees you want to flourish are enabled to do so.
Transforming a forest from this:
to this:
is an example of achieving a healthier environment for trees and wildlife, while reducing wildfire risk.