Banner Forest Heritage Park, a 635-acre protected forest in South Kitsap, is again at the center of debate as Kitsap County moves forward with its Forest Stewardship and Restoration Program.

The program, which was pointed out on the county’s Facebook page, is described as a 10-year, science-based effort to restore second-growth forests across the county’s park system. Officials say the approach, modeled after methods used by conservation groups such as The Nature Conservancy, is “focused on restoration, not logging,” with the goal of creating resilient ecosystems and diverse habitats.

From June through August, the Parks Department hosted six open houses and a public survey. “In response to the valuable feedback provided by our community, the Board (of County Commissioners) has directed the Parks Department to allocate additional time for careful review prior to advancing any projects at Banner Forest,” said District 2 Commissioner Oran Root, whose district includes the park. “I am dedicated to a transparent and inclusive decision-making process, ensuring that community input is prioritized.”

County officials emphasized that no work will occur at Banner Forest until more community dialogue and education take place, and that each project will require additional planning, permitting and public engagement. An updated policy is expected by mid-to-late 2026.

But local residents remain skeptical.

Sunnie Merritt, a member of the group Save Banner Forest, said the park’s history is critical to understanding the current conflict. “At one point, this was (Department of Natural Resources) land, and there was some type of exchange that granted it to be a Heritage Park,” she said. “I think that’s part of the frustration — a lot of people don’t even know what a Heritage Park is. It’s supposed to be much more than a natural state. It’s not a park that’s meant for timber harvest. It’s for the community to enjoy.”

She said longtime community members, some of whom have been involved with Banner for 50 years, see the designation as a promise that the land will remain protected. Heritage Parks, Merritt explained, are meant to represent the history of a community and offer educational opportunities about the land and its use.

Merritt said Banner has faced repeated pressures over the years. “The community really rallied last time — over 600 people showed up to a meeting and they were able to stop it,” she said. “It seems like every 10 years or so, the county wants to pull resources out of this park.”

When asked what drew her to get involved, Merritt said she became more active after learning how the county’s plans might affect Banner’s ecological health. “The proposal is described as thinning, but we see it as logging,” she said. “Opening up the canopy disrupts the forest’s balance. It’s not the kind of management this land was preserved for.”

She added that Save Banner Forest views thinning as a risk to native plants, fungi and wildlife, and believes it will allow invasive species to spread. “Proforestation is the best option,” Merritt said, describing the group’s preferred approach. “It means allowing the forest to mature and regenerate on its own without intervention. That’s how we protect this place for future generations.”

Merritt said nearly 3,100 people have signed the group’s petition opposing the plan. “That level of support shows how much people value this forest,” she said. “We want people to understand the history, the science, and the alternatives.”

Save Banner Forest will host a community meeting Sept. 20 at 6 p.m. at the Olalla Community Grange to share information on proforestation and discuss the ecological risks they see in the county’s proposal.