301 Acres Acquired along Klickitat River

Columbia Land Trust recently conserved 301 acres of property along the wild and scenic Klickitat River on the east side of the Cascades.  The acquisition protects critical spawning habitat for steelhead as well as rearing habitat for young salmon and steelhead.  In addition to the river habitat, the land includes extensive pine-oak woodlands, Douglas fir forest and grasslands in historic ranching country.  The property supports abundant wildlife including state threatened western gray squirrels and Lewis’ woodpeckers and provides important habitat for migrating waterfowl and songbirds.

The property is located across the Klickitat River from the town of Klickitat downstream to Skookum Flats. “It’s exciting to be part of such an important conservation project that also provides educational benefits to both residents and visitors,” says Glenn Lamb, Executive Director of Columbia Land Trust.

Funding for the acquisition came from the Salmon Recovery Funding Board, the American Bird Conservancy, Wildlife Forever Fund, the Wiancko Charitable Foundation, The Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, The Nature Conservancy, the Felburn Foundation, and Columbia Land Trust members.

Since 1998, Columbia Land Trust has worked with local landowners to conserve thousands of acres in the lower Klickitat River watershed.  With this acquisition, Columbia Land Trust has now conserved 2,800 acres and about 18 miles of riparian and floodplain habitat in the Klickitat and Little Klickitat watersheds. The area, known for natural beauty, fishing and recreation opportunities will continue to be open to current uses.

Columbia Land Trust is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to conserving signature landscapes and vital habitat together with the landowners and communities of the Columbia River region. The Land Trust conserves lands in both Oregon and Washington, from the east side of the Cascades to the Pacific Ocean. For more information contact Columbia Land Trust at (360) 338-5263, (503) 224-3601, or www.columbialandtrust.org.