Natural Resources
Nason Ridge Community Forest
Nason Ridge Community Forest
Nason Ridge provides the forested backdrop to Lake Wenatchee, and is highly valued by both the local community and visitors to the region for its benefits of wildlife habitat, economic stability for local businesses, ecologic and aquatic processes, and year-round recreation.
In 2017, rather than logging off all value on the property, Weyerhauser agreed to sell the parcels to whomever could come up with the money to purchase. Lead by the Chelan-Douglas Land Trust, the local community rallied around the fundraising effort to save Nason Ridge from industry logging, and raised over $1 million toward the purchse goal. Western Rivers Conservancy then stepped in and purchased the land from Weherhauser to hold in conservation until a permanent solution was found. Chelan County, Chelan-Douglas Land Trust, and Western Rivers Conservancy worked together to raise awareness of Nason Ridge as a Community Forest to the State Legislature for consideration for state funding to complete the purchase.
With financial backing from the State Recreation and Conservation Office and guidance from a Community Forest Advisory Committee, a Community Forest Management Plan was completed in time for the 2020 Legislative Session. The Nason Ridge Community Forest proposal was ranked first in the 2020 legislative session, and an acquisition grant for the property was awarded to Chelan County from the Washington Recreation and Conservation Office. Combined with additional grants from RCO Salmon Recovery Program, Washington Department of Ecology, and local PUD habitat committees, Chelan County was able to close on the property on April 14, 2022, for the benefit of the local community in perpetuity.
Moving forward, the Nason Ridge Community Forest will be managed through collaborative efforts by the Nason Ridge Stewardship Committee and Chelan County, under the guidance of the Nason Ridge Community Forest Management Plan (link below). The Stewardship Committee will meet quarterly, with more frequent meetings as needed to address special projects/planning efforts. Near-term goals include undertaking a specific Recreation Element under the Management Plan, implementing high priority short-term actions from the Management Plan, and developing landscape-scale resilience/restoration strategies. This website will be updated with meeting dates and notes, documents developed during planning sessions, and public announcements/news.
Nason Ridge Community Forest Celebration (video) Oct. 15, 2022
State's newest community forest established at Nason Ridge April 2022
Nason Ridge Community Forest Management Plan November 2019
Nason Ridge Community Forest Recreation and Access Plan February 2024
Stewardship Committee Meetings
Beginning in November 2022, Stewardship Committee meetings will be held regularly for Recreation Planning and Stewardship Committee updates. Topic-specific Subgroup meetings will be held approximately monthly, while Stewardship Committee quarterly update meetings will be held quarterly. A draft schedule of planning meeting dates can be viewed through the link below. Dates are approximate and may vary by a few days. Meeting dates and times will be announced through the meeting list below, and meeting notes will be added after meetings are held.
Meetings:
2024 Meetings
Quarterly Meeting: April 16th, 2024
6-8pm at Lake Wenatchee Fire and Rescue Station 91
Quarterly Update Meeting: January 23rd, 2024
Butcher Creek Outreach Meeting: January 18th, 2024
2023 Meetings
2023 Meeting Schedule
Coulter Block Assessment Recreation and Access Meeting
August 16th, 2023 6-8pm in-person at Lake Wenatchee Rec Club
Quarterly Meeting: July 19th 2023
Trails Part 2 Subgroup Meeting
June 14th, 2023 6-8pm in-person as Lake Wenatchee Rec Club
Trails Part 1 Subgroup Meeting
May 16th, 2023 6-8pm in-person at Lake Wenatchee Rec Club
- Meeting Notes
- WIldlife Considerations and Land Classifications Presentation from WCSI
- Draft Trails and Sensitive Areas Concept Map
Hunting Subgroup Meeting
April 12th, 2023 6-8pm in-person at Lake Wenatchee Rec Club
Quarterly Meeting: March 8th 2023
Access and Parking Subgroup Meeting Part 2
February 15th, 2023 6-8pm in-person at Lake Wenatchee Rec Club
Access and Parking Subgroup Meeting Part 1
January 11th, 2023 6-8pm in-person at Lake Wenatchee Rec Club
XC Ski Trails Subgroup Meeting
December 12, 2022 6-8pm in-person at Lake Wenatchee Fire and Rescue
Nason Ridge Stewardship Committee Meeting: Recreation and Access Planning Kick-Off
November 2, 2022 6-8pm via zoom
Documents
Nason Ridge Stewardship Committee Recreation Planning Framework
Older Meeting Materials (2019 Community Forest Management Plan effort)
Nason Ridge Advisory Committee Meeting Notes
- July 10th, 2019 Meeting Notes
- July 10th Powerpoint
- August 7, 2019 Meeting Notes
- August 7th Powerpoint
- September 4th, 2019 Meeting Notes
- September 4th Powerpoint
- October 9th, 2019
Nason Ridge Commmunity Forest Plan Timeline – May 26th 2019 DRAFT
Examples of other Community Forest Plans:
Squilchuck Community Vision Plan (The Stemilt Partnership)
Jericho Communiy Forest Plan (USFS)
Nisqually Community Forest: http://nisquallylandtrust.org/our-lands-and-projects/nisqually-community-forest/
Posted: 07/30/2019 09:42 AM
Last Updated: 04/29/2024 03:40 PM