Nature Conservancy Acquires 2,600 Acres in Central Washington
The Cle Elum Ridge Community Forest is now protected from development and open to the public.
Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in National Parks
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The Nature Conservancy acquired 2,600 acres of timberland in Central Washington, lands historically owned by industrial timber companies. The forest, now the Cle Elum Ridge Community Forest, is protected from development and accessible to the public.
Why it matters
The acquisition protects the land from development while supporting recreation, wildlife migration paths, watershed function and wildfire resiliency work. The nonprofit plans to eventually transfer the forestland to the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation.
The 2,600-acre tract is part of a broader effort that began with a 2014 partnership acquiring nearly 50,000 acres between Snoqualmie Pass and Ellensburg. The 13-mile trail system built within the forest was designed by trail construction experts, a landscape architect and local mountain biking groups.
The players
The Nature Conservancy
A global conservation nonprofit that acquires and manages land to protect ecosystems and biodiversity.
Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust
A Washington nonprofit that stewards 1.5 million acres of land along Interstate 90.
Central Cascades Forest
A forestland partner that joined The Nature Conservancy in acquiring nearly 50,000 acres in 2014.
Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation
A federally recognized tribal government in Central Washington slated to receive the forestland.
The details
The Nature Conservancy partnered with Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust for community outreach, and the forest lies adjacent to the Teanaway Community Forest near Cle Elum and Roslyn in Kittitas County. The forest is home to elk, mule deer, cougars, black bears, foxes, grouse, turkeys and occasional wolves.
Timeline
In 2014, the Nature Conservancy partnered with Central Cascades Forest to acquire nearly 50,000 acres of forestland.
More than 10 years ago, the Nature Conservancy paused housing development pressures to study the lands.
A public meeting in Cle Elum on Nov. 17 will take comments on the draft management plan.
Roadmap
The Cle Elum Ridge Community Forest is one of 17 community forests in Washington, extending a state model that keeps former industrial timberland open to public recreation. Its trail network and protected status follow the pattern set by the Teanaway Community Forest next door.
Visitors can now hike, bike and explore the 13-mile trail system in the Cle Elum Ridge Community Forest. The forest is open to the public and offers habitat for elk, deer and black bears, so plan accordingly for wildlife encounters.
The takeaway
Protected public forests like Cle Elum Ridge give recreation and wildlife a lasting place to exist as former timberland changes hands. Check local meeting notices if you want to weigh in on how the forest is managed.
What happens next
A public meeting in Cle Elum on Nov. 17 will take comments on the draft management plan for the forest.
Further reading
For more on protected public lands, explore National Parks coverage across the Pacific Northwest.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Yakima Herald-Republic.
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