In August of 2017, Lake Wenatchee Info reached out to the Lake Wenatchee community to help us convince Weyerhaeuser to hold off clear cutting Nason Ridge above the State Park and give the community a chance to come up with a buyout offer. (Facebook Comments)
Working with the Chelan Douglas Land Trust and Western Rivers Conservancy, a purchase arrangement was completed in the winter of 2018. The community provided over a million dollars in funding which was key to this process. Western Rivers’ plan was to be an interim owner while long term local ownership could be arranged.
We are very pleased to report that with the passing of the 2021 Washington State Capital Budget, Western Rivers Conservancy will be transferring ownership of Nason Ridge to Chelan County, this year. Nason Ridge will become the second community forest in Chelan County. Community forests are managed for fire protection, wildlife and public access / enjoyment.
There are many folks to thank, first and foremost are the neighbors that lead the charge; Chelan Douglas Land Trust and Western Rivers Conservancy, organizations without whom we would not have succeeded; and Senator Hawkins , Representatives Steele & Goehner , and County Commissioners Bugert , Overbay , and Gering whose support was key to finishing the project by advocating for Community Forest Funding.