Saving these timberlands is not only beneficial to the wildlife; it’s also good for the local economy which relies on tourist dollars attracted by scenic forests targeted for protection by the Mount Rainier Gateway Initiative.

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 Located in the Kapowsin Forest, this latest purchase is a property of tremendous natural beauty, with rock bluffs, steep ravines, pockets of old-growth habitat, and elevation ranges from 2,200 feet to 4,500 feet. From Ashford, it is the scenic view north of Route 706 about two miles west of the National Park entrance. 

This land is also a critical addition to a proposed corridor for wildlife—particularly Rainier elk—moving between the Gifford Pinchot National Forest and the Elbe Hills State Forest. The $2.56 million deal was the result of 18 months of negotiations between the property owner, Hancock Timber Resource Group, the Land Trust and its partners.   The Nisqually Tribe contributed $350,000 towards the purchase of this forestland.  At the time of the sale, Hancock had a pending state permit to harvest timber off of the property.

 To help the Land Trust protect timberlands near Mount Rainier National Park, please click here.

For information about previous Mount Rainier Gateway Initiative purchases, click here.