Did the Spotted Owl kill the lumber industry in Washington?
I write this hot on the heels of the first book I read in 2025, What an Owl Knows by Jennifer Ackerman (a must-read). With just enough science to keep me engaged and a wide variety of species covered, it inspired me as I prepare for my move to Washington State.
Clarification from where this blog topic came from: I've heard some crazy stuff pertaining to wildlife from people that are just not true. Everything from the myth that wolves wipe out elk populations and kill for fun (not true), sharks eat ALL the fish (definitely not true), and seals are the reason we have no more salmon (really? come on.). But a myth that I find really interesting is one I've run into while living in coastal Washington: " the spotted owl was the reason for the downfall of the lumber industry in Washington State."
I recently took a contract in Washington state, in an area that has been dominated historically by the lumber industry. This area has seen and left its heyday, much like other towns propped up by industries focused on non-renewable resource extraction.
Much like how the delta smelt is responsible for the fires in California (I am kidding of course, but some people think otherwise) many argue that the adorable spotted owl is responsible for ending the once prosperous lumber industry. Now very rare, the spotted owl inhabits old growth forests in the Pacific Northwest, and controversy around their protection has been argued to be one of the key factors to the collapse of the lumber industry throughout coastal Washington.
Owls and the federal government
Starting in the 1970s with the Endangered Species Act, the United States started paying more attention to the protection species that would quickly disappearing due to human impact. The spotted owl persisted across Washington, however removal of their key habitat (old-growth forests) was leading to their populations plummeting. Expansion of the barred owl has continued to impact populations. As a result, the federal government placed the spotted owl on the Endangered Species list, leading to a protection of their habitat. For loggers that are keen to old-growth forests, this new protection closed off a lot of land.
As a result, the myth was established that the spotted owl is to blame for the fall of the logging industry throughout the Pacific Northwest. This myth has persisted even today, with many arguing that this owl is the sole villain of the lumber industry -- and if we stopped protecting them, the lumber industry would come back.
Let's dive into a bit of history around Washington's lumber industry and see if this owl is the true culprit.
The truth is always more complicated.
Question: Aberdeen, Washington was booming lumber town, so what happened?
1) Logging practices
Lumber in Washington has doomed for a long time. It's hard to say exactly when the decline started, but some sources point to the 1930's as the point in which Washington was experiencing diminishing timber resources when over-logging and environmental regulations reduced available timber. This made it harder for mills to operate profitably.
This area of Washington has had been logged since the 1840's, however the growth around the area was unsustainable. The lumber industry was cutting down old-growth forests, which can take 150-350 years to grow. Today, Old-growth forests are extremely rare in the United States, because of unsustainable lumber practices throughout the 1800s and early 1900s.
The wood from old-growth forests is highly desirable due to the quality of wood. These forests are home to some of the largest trees in the world, and are considered some of the best wood sources around, especially for building. However, "old-growth" is in the name. These forests take centuries to replenish. Simple math can easily point to how a centuries-long growth period is not a sustainable industry. This is especially true considering how this area was originally logged. Foresters would clear cut these precious forests, and very little was being restored with replanting. Additionally, this clear cut areas also led to increase fire risks, which also continues today (Yes, you read that right. Logging increases forest fire risk). By the 1970's, most of the forests around Aberdeen had been logged. Unsustainable practices of harvesting old-growth forests led to a diminished available area for resource-sourcing. As a result, sawmills in the area closed.
2) Economic changes
Harvesting practices weren't the only factors at play. During the 1900s, fluctuations in the economy, including recessions and shifts in demand for lumber, negatively impacted local businesses. This "boom and bust" cycle has occurred multiple times in Aberdeen's history. It likely started after WWI, when the demand for wooden ships drastically declined.
This, combined with the Great Depression, drastically reduced the number of sawmills in Aberdeen. Later in the century, other recessions resulted in the decrease in new houses being built across the United States, furthering decreasing timber demand. The recession of the 1980's was one of these key declines in demand. By the 1990s, only a few of Washington's mills survived, however Aberdeen's last mill closed in 2005, due to high costs and continued competition globally. Simple capitalism came into play: the demand sunk and cheaper options were elsewhere.
3) Competition
Beyond logging practices and economic changes, Washington's logging industry also faced increased competition from other regions, particularly those with more abundant resources or lower production costs. This made it difficult for Aberdeen's mills to compete. Aberdeen faced competition from Canada (a huge timber exporter) and mills in Oregon.
The global market had a massive impact on lumber output in the US, especially in Washington. This has led to demand for timber to change in the United States, with a shift away from wood boards towards other wood products, such as pulp. Countries like China have also risen to meet our demand. This shift from domestic product to imports has led a decrease in demand domestically, negatively impacting towns that have centered their economies around one resource.
Guess what wasn't mentioned? Owls.
And there's more to the story.
Myth: Spotted owls are the reason the lumber industry crashed in Washington
Truth: Although environmental regulations did impact the lumber industry, overall the industry was in decline for decades due to a variety of factors both local and abroad. Unsustainable logging practices, economic shifts, and capitalism all had major roles to play. Much like other resource-based industries, Washington's lumber economy is a history rife with boom and bust cycles. The major shift to protect the owls didn't really happen until the late 80's early 90's, but it didn't help the industry recover.
Why does this myth persist?
Especially when it comes to economics, there’s a saying: Never come between a man and his money. In small rural towns like Aberdeen, where economic opportunities are often limited, a major industry shift can have serious consequences. This disruption breeds resentment, and as we’ve seen in modern-day debates—like the ongoing discourse around immigration in the United States—it’s easy to assign blame, even when it’s misplaced (spoiler: immigrants aren’t stealing your jobs). People gravitate toward a single scapegoat because it’s convenient and provides a sense of control. That’s not to downplay the hardships that come with losing a livelihood, and the challenges of changing professions, but the lumber industry has always been volatile, known for its cycles of boom and bust.
Ready for more?
I will continue writing a series of blogs on environmental topics, always striving to follow the data and set aside bias—but I’ll admit, I’m a nature lover first! I write these for three key reasons:
- To advocate for nature, animals, and the world around us.
- As a landscape and wildlife photographer, I believe it’s essential to be informed about the subjects I capture.
- In 2025, our natural resources are once again under serious threat. It’s crucial to share accurate information so we can protect our precious environment to the best of our ability.
Learn more about spotted owls and the logging industry
Check out more from the USDA economics report:
Read more about Old Growth Forests:
Read more about Old Growth Forests:
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