Partnerships make all this work attainable. Firstly, we provide our deep gratitude to the USDA and the U.S. Forest Service for investing on this challenge. Safety of Cle Elum Ridge will profit higher Kittitas County for generations to come back by defending wholesome forests that function a wildfire buffer for close by communities, defending the watershed that individuals and agriculture rely upon and providing quite a few leisure alternatives.
We thank the neighborhood members who’ve leaned into this work over the previous 5 years by means of the Checkerboard Partnership Planning Committee. This chance was attainable due to their dedication and deep collaboration in creating a shared, long-term imaginative and prescient for everlasting safety. Their many hours of conferences, letter-writing and strategizing had been instrumental to securing this funding.
We’re additionally deeply grateful for the steadfast assist and management of state and federal elected officers who’ve supported the challenge and the funding essential to completely defend the Ridge, together with Congresswoman Kim Schrier, Senator Patty Murray, Senator Maria Cantwell, and Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz.
Whereas this grant is an thrilling benchmark, there’s nonetheless work to be executed. TNC is collaborating with native companions to develop a transition plan for the lands. DNR is predicted to accumulate the land within the subsequent yr or two.
For extra protection and details about this thrilling announcement, observe these hyperlinks:
Seattle Occasions: WA to accumulate 9,700-acre forest close to Cle Elum due to federal grant
USDA Press Launch: Biden-Harris Administration Companions with States to Preserve 168,000 Acres of Non-public Forestlands as a part of Investing in America agenda | USDA
DNR Press Launch: Federal Funding Secured to Defend 9,700 Acres Adjoining to Teanaway Group Forest
