Creation of an 875-acre community forest is seen as a template for how small towns in Washington can act to preserve their local water sources and create health, economic and environmental benefits. “To be able to do this, for a small municipality owning the timber and land within our municipal drinking watershed, is quite rare,” said Ilwaco City Councilor Matt Lessnau, pictured, who spearheaded the years-long project.
Some 210 acres of land and timber previously owned by Weyerhaeuser, plus timber deeds on an additional 178 acres, have been added to previously owned city land to create the 875-acre Bear Ridge Community Forest.
The Bear Ridge Community Forest, which now spans 875 acres following the acquisition, is one of over 30 that the Trust for Public Land has helped establish across the nation. The locally owned and managed forests are protected natural spaces that help communities maintain a source of revenue and employment via sustainable forestry and recreational tourism, and provide an environmental learning ground for local schools.
An aerial view of the reservoir at the Bear Ridge Community Forest. The 875-acre forest is being cited as a model for how small towns in Washington can preserve local water sources and create health, economic and environmental benefits for their community.
Bear Ridge Community Forest now includes an additional 210 acres of land and timber previously owned by Weyerhaeuser, plus an additional 178 acres of timber deeds on city-owned land.
In terms of recreational tourism, project leader Matt Lessnau envisions establishing a network of hiking and mountain biking trails. Other nearby trails that the city could model its trails after include mountain biking trails at Klootchy Creek near Seaside, and hiking trails at Montesano City Forest.
Ilwaco’s 875-acre community forest will be protected by a mutual-aid agreement with the Washington Department of Natural Resources.
Contributed photo
Bear Ridge Community Forest now includes an additional 210 acres of land and timber previously owned by Weyerhaeuser, plus an additional 178 acres of timber deeds on city-owned land.
ILWACO — Several years of hard work and perseverance came to fruition this month when the City of Ilwaco finalized a deal with forestry giant Weyerhaeuser that gives the city direct control of its own watershed.
Bear Ridge Community Forest now includes 210 acres of land and timber previously owned by Weyerhaeuser, plus an additional 178 acres of timber deeds on city-owned land. The 875-acre forest is being cited as a model for how small towns in Washington can preserve local water sources and create health, economic and environmental benefits for their community.
Some 210 acres of land and timber previously owned by Weyerhaeuser, plus timber deeds on an additional 178 acres, have been added to previously owned city land to create the 875-acre Bear Ridge Community Forest.
The Bear Ridge Community Forest, which now spans 875 acres following the acquisition, is one of over 30 that the Trust for Public Land has helped establish across the nation. The locally owned and managed forests are protected natural spaces that help communities maintain a source of revenue and employment via sustainable forestry and recreational tourism, and provide an environmental learning ground for local schools.
An aerial view of the reservoir at the Bear Ridge Community Forest. The 875-acre forest is being cited as a model for how small towns in Washington can preserve local water sources and create health, economic and environmental benefits for their community.
Creation of an 875-acre community forest is seen as a template for how small towns in Washington can act to preserve their local water sources and create health, economic and environmental benefits. “To be able to do this, for a small municipality owning the timber and land within our municipal drinking watershed, is quite rare,” said Ilwaco City Councilor Matt Lessnau, pictured, who spearheaded the years-long project.
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