Over 6,000 acres. That’s how much land Forterra has helped conserve throughout two of western Washington’s most vital, biologically productive estuaries, Grays Harbor and Willapa Bay. Add to that collection a 40-acre Elk River property within Grays Harbor, acquired this year. 

In the same way that Forterra’s preservation of Snohomish County farmlands has contributed to habitat connectivity along the Stillaguamish River, the land trust’s acquisitions of coastal bay properties have helped piece together areas of high habitat connectivity and conserve some of the state’s most ecologically important areas.  

Over 20 years ago, Forterra—then the Cascade Land Conservancy—purchased its first parcel in Willapa Bay, kicking off Phase I of its Cedar River Estuary acquisition plan. Cedar River empties into Willapa Bay from the north, where a tidally influenced ecosystem contains salt marshes, tidelands, and a mixed cedar, western hemlock, and Douglas-fir forest. The estuary provides valuable nursery habitat for several species of salmonid and is also a critical rest stop along the Pacific Flyway for 70 species of migrating shorebirds, waterfowl, and other avian species. 

The acquired property, Oyster Island, was a mere 100 acres of shoreline along Willapa Bay, the second largest estuary on the Pacific Coast, encompassing over 260 square miles of water surface. But it was a start. 

The initial success was followed by several other acquisitions the following year. The Nemah River project, which included 305 acres of critical habitat for an array of bird, fish, and terrestrial species, was ranked number one in the National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program for 2004. 

While several of Forterra’s first properties were purchased from individual private landowners, its continued success relied on collaborations with larger entities. In 2005, Forterra acquired over 500 acres of shoreline properties from one of the largest timber holding companies in the world. The Weyerhaeuser acquisitions were significant additions to the piecemeal estuary plan, particularly the 375 acres within close proximity of Willapa National Wildlife Refuge. 

Over the next two years, the land trust would partner with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), which would eventually take on long-term stewardship to maintain and protect the estuarine and forested wetlands as part of the Willapa Bay Management Plan. 

Chetlo Harbor became the focus of attention in the years between 2012 and 2014. Once again, Forterra’s relationship-building enabled it to purchase land from Hancock Timber Resource Group, now rebranded under Manulife Investment Management.  

Only a few miles inland from the harbor, 120 acres came into the Forterra fold, another big win for wildlife: the property contains Smith Creek, a tributary of the Naselle River and a salmon spawning stream. The property was also identified by WDFW as a priority habitat for Roosevelt Elk.

Today, Forterra continues its work acquiring important estuarine land throughout Washington, including properties within Grays Harbor and the Elk River estuary at its southern boundary.

The 40-acre Elk River estuary property acquired this year joins several other past acquisitions around the harbor, which total well over 2,000 acres.The property is adjacent to the Elk River Natural Resources Conservation Area (NRCA), managed by the Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Wildlife documented in the NRCA has included Roosevelt elks, black bears, and harbor seals.

“DNR Natural Areas protect nearly 175,000 acres of habitat for rare plants, animals, and plant communities across Washington,” said Carlo Abbruzzese, DNR’s Natural Areas Manager for the Pacific Cascades Region. “Often, purchasing land outside of our established preserve boundaries is difficult if not impossible. Adjacent development and private lands can fragment habitat and negatively affect the health of protected areas. That’s why we’re excited and very grateful to have organizations like Forterra jump in and conserve important parcels that help enlarge our natural areas and reduce edge effects in some of our state’s most important natural areas.”

Acquisitions are oftentimes little by little and take time and multiple partners, but each one contributes to the larger mission of connecting our landscape throughout Washington state.