Details of the Deal

An early section of the Lake Serene Trail is privately owned (see map below). The property is scheduled to be logged later this year, impacting the integrity of one of the region’s most highly used and best loved trails. Forterra has stepped in to lead the effort to save this beloved trail and land. Forterra is working to raise funds to purchase the entire 190-acre property. Acquisition will ensure public access to one of the region’s most visited hiking trails forever. Forterra is working with the landowner to preserve and limit the timber harvest to less than half of the property, protecting the creek that carries water from Bridal Veil falls and through the property, and preventing logging from crossing the trail—minimizing the short-term impact to users and saving the land and trail in perpetuity.

While the trail traverses a small part of the property, the landowner will only sell the entire parcel. As a means of securing the best value for every conservation dollar spent, Forterra has negotiated a plan with the current landowner in which timber harvest will occur before acquisition on a portion of the property away from the trail.

Forterra will purchase the land along with a buffer of trees along the trail corridor and stream running through the property. We have worked with the landowner to divert a new logging road away from the trail and habitat areas. Approximately 60 acres of 2nd and 3rd growth timber, away from the trail, will be harvested to reduce acquisition cost, and will be replanted with more diverse species.

For even more information or to find out how to get involved, please contact Campaign Director, Susannah Hale at 206.905.6911 or shale@forterra.org