Posted

120-acres in Pacific County acquired for conservation

Forterra has purchased 120-acres of high-quality estuarine, riparian and forest land near Willapa Bay in Pacific County for permanent conservation. Ownership of the land was transferred to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) for long-term management and stewardship.

The purchase was completed Sept. 27, 2013.

The property sits on Smith Creek, a tributary of the Naselle River and close to the Willapa National Wildlife Refuge. Smith Creek is a salmon spawning stream and priority habitat for Roosevelt elk.

“The successful conservation of the Smith Creek property is a major victory for Pacific County environment and community,” said Mark Johnsen, Forterra Estuary Program Director. “It expands on the tens of thousands of acres of land permanently conserved in the Willapa watershed, furthering benefits for wildlife and the ecosystem.”

Since 2010, Forterra has conserved over 400 acres of land in the south Willapa bay area. The nearby Willapa National Wildlife Refuge contains 11,000 acres of federal protected wildlife habitat, home to elk, bear, many bird species, salmon and more. Contiguous land conservation amplifies the beneficial impacts on the environment and wildlife.

“Willapa Bay is one of the highest-quality estuaries in the entire country. Conservation projects such as this one greatly benefit the entire ecosystem, the animals who live in it and the people who come to enjoy the natural world around it,” said Kyle Guzlas, WDFW Wildlife Area Manager.

In addition, Willapa Bay is home to the largest commercial shellfish beds in the State of Washington and is one of the five most productive areas in the world for oyster cultivation. Protecting Smith Creek’s riparian habitat and upland forest helps keep the Willapa Bay ecosystem clean, which helps protect these valuable commercial shellfish operations, in turn.

To date, Forterra has protected over 8,000 acres of estuarine properties on Washington’s coast and bays.

###

ABOUT FORTERRA
Forterra is an unconventional land trust that works across Washington’s communities and landscapes, from the ranches and shrub-steppe of the Yakima basin, to the estuaries, farms and forests of Washington’s coast, reaching more than 100 counties, cities, towns and rural communities. Working cooperatively with people and nature, Forterra drives land stewardship, management and planning; innovative programs and policies; farming and forestry approaches; community ownership opportunities; and development solutions. Visit www.forterra.org.

Scroll to Top

Make your impact in Washington today and double your impact.


Hurry before time runs out!

Make your impact in Washington today so that people and nature can thrive together in a place where everyone belongs.

Get your gift in early and double your impact!