CENTRAL CASCADES FOREST: MANAGEMENT PLAN OVERVIEW © John Marshall

VISION a checkerboard pattern that is a legacy ecosystem should clearly be seen for its of the 19th Century. conservation significance and the value In December 2014, The Nature it brings to local communities through We envision an expansive forest Conservancy purchased 47,921 acres access to recreation, clean water, safety landscape for the future that is healthy of forestland from Plum Creek Timber from catastrophic fire, and jobs. Company in Kittitas County for the and resilient to environmental changes, purpose of safeguarding clean water, supports strong wildlife and fish These lands are irreplaceable habitat, wildlife habitat and outdoor recreation. populations, produces a sustainable with more than 1000 species of plants supply of wood and clean water, and wildlife, including iconic Pacific These lands are intermingled with and is recognized for its contribution salmon, towering Ponderosas pines, extensive federal and state ownership in to community vitality. The forest wolverines, elk and 200 species of birds, © John Marshall © Hannah Letinich Gricar© Lara © Benj Drummond © Alan W. Eckert © Benj Drummond © John Marshall best available science andimplemented habitat improvement, allguidedbythe tree-planting, brushcontrol, andstream include selective harvest andthinning, andeconomicallysoundmanner will safe term forest healthinanenvironmentally opportunity. Ourefforts torestore long- wildlife habitat, andrecreational their watersupply, timberproduction, amplifying riskstolocalcommunities, and insectdiseasemortality, and contributing toincreases inwildfire to dramatic changesintheseforests, throughout the20thcenturyhave led timber harvesting, miningandgrazing However, wildfire suppression, intensive of tremendous conservationvalue. knits togetheranenormouslandscape and south,theCentral CascadesForest large, intactwildernessareas tothenorth Yakima River headwaters andconnecting Containing asignificantportionofthe CONSERVATION GOALS wherever possible. values intoourmanagementframework and have strived toincorporate these lands for recreation andeconomicvitality regional communitiesplaceonthese learned oftheimportancethatlocaland acquisition isconservation,wehave While ourprimarypurposefor the in hundreds ofadditionalconversations. coordinator inCleElum,andengaged responses, hired acommunityoutreach leaders, received more than1,200survey state andcongressional government associations, workedwithlocal,county, 35 clubs,groups, committeesand attendees, presented tomore than public meetingswithmore than300 hostedfourThe community Conservancy COMMUNITY OUTREACH opportunities andiconiclandscapes. lands for thediverse array ofrecreational across Washington Statecherishthese hemispheres. Communitieslocallyand between thesouthernandnorthern which usetheseforests astheymigrate and manyneo-tropical migrant species including thenorthernspottedowl

recreation industries. landscape restoration, anddiverse forest managementandforest products, resource basedeconomyconsistingof Accreditation Status. Council certificationand Land Trust also maintainingForest Stewardship resource managementpartners, while stewards from localcommunitiesand restoration. associated withlandmanagementand forest harvesting to offsetcosts community values. that enhance conservationand management solutionsfor the forest 4. 3. 2. 1. 9. 8. 7. 6. 5. goals include: primarymanagement Conservancy’s agencies, andcommunitypartners.The in collaboration withtribal,public with landscapepartners. (www.tapash.org) andincoordination Tapash SustainableForest Collaborative consistent withtheobjectives ofthe and stream habitatsinamanner restoration, andstewardship offorest throughresiliency active management, important for sustainingtribalcultures. maintaining accesstoresources thatare uncharacteristically severe fire, and objectives, reducing theriskof that are consistentwithconservation outdoor recreational opportunities neighboring communitiesbyproviding municipal andagricultural users. for fishandwildlife, anddownstream ability tostore anddeliver cleanwater adapt toachangingclimate. improve theirabilitytorespond and connectivity for fishandwildlife, and severe fire. decreasing theriskofuncharacteristically and reduce carbonemissionsthrough

Improve theUpperYakima Watershed’s Earnrespect asexemplaryland Produce incomefrom sustainable Seek long-termownership and Supportalocally-sustainablenatural Sequestercarboningrowing forests,

Improve humanwell-beingin Increase habitatsuitabilityand Improve landscapehealthand FOREST MANAGEMENT but is not limited to, hiking, bird watching, Ecological forestry uses the structure, horseback riding, off-road vehicle riding, The Conservancy’s goal is to restore composition, and landscape pattern mountain biking, skiing, snowmobiling, the forests of the Central Cascades to created by natural disturbances and snowshoeing, dog sledding, and other be more resilient to fire, disease and a other forest development processes as activities such as hunting, fishing, changing climate. guide posts for management. It relies subsistence gathering, nature and wildlife The forest comprises a wide range of on the basic assumption that natural viewing, and spiritual ceremonies. forest ecosystems provide and sustain forest types, from the moist western The Conservancy has been working with the broad array of ecological functions hemlock and silver fir forests near the local communities and partners since the that people currently want from many Cascade crest to dry ponderosa pine acquisition to develop a shared vision for forests. Widely distributed large, old forests in the eastern foothills and rich the future of the landscape—a vision that trees, provide a critical ecological riparian forests growing along mountain protects nature and supports sustainable backbone for forested landscapes. streams. The majority of these forests recreation. The Conservancy believes The goal is to restore and sustain core are young plantations less than 40 years that well-managed recreational activities ecological functions while also providing old. Older forests, greater than 80 years and responsible use can be consistent for economic benefits and other social old, are found scattered across almost with the primary objectives of the Central goods and services. 20 percent of the area in riparian areas Cascades Forest. and other pockets where past harvesting Working with partners in the Tapash There is no fee for recreational access. was lighter and more selective. Sustainable Forest Collaborative, Hazards exist, however, so recreationists The Conservancy’s must use caution and enter at their own FOREST TYPE AND AGE ON THE CENTRAL ecologists and foresters risk. In particular, the Central Cascades CASCADES FORESTS will follow the principles Forest is a working forest with ongoing of ecological forestry to logging and land management activities develop on-the-ground that may pose a danger to recreational harvest prescriptions users. Recreationists must pack out and restoration all garbage and follow Leave No Trace treatments. The Central practices across the landscape to protect Cascades Forest will natural resources, fish, and wildlife. be managed under a certificate of the Forest Activities Permitted: Stewardship Council, 1. Non-motorized use on all lands, To restore the current landscape which ensures that our practices meet throughout the year, unless otherwise of dense and young forests active an international standard of sustainable posted. The Conservancy encourages management will be used to develop a forest management. Under agreement non-motorized users to stay on roads healthy and more resilient ecosystem with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and trails unless the activity involves cross that contains larger trees, more complex and the National Marine Fisheries country travel such as hunting, collecting and variable habitats, and productive Service all forest management will forest products, or winter travel with streams flowing with clean water. also meet or exceed the requirements adequate snow cover. Active management is expected to of a federal Habitat Conservation include thinning in dense forest stands, Plan designed to conserve a suite of 2. Mountain bikes must stay on logging to create openings and diverse threatened or endangered fish and designated trails and roads to reduce forest structure, prescribed fire and wildlife species. impacts to soil, vegetation, and wildlife. management of forest fuels, planting to 3. Wheeled motorized use only on open build forest diversity, repair of damaging RECREATIONAL ACCESS roads and trails authorized for their use. roads and trails, and restoration of The Central Cascades Forest is a haven Off-road and off-trail use damages natural stream habitat complexity. for year-round recreation. With nearly resources and disturbs wildlife and is strictly prohibited. Access is prohibited The forest management approach 49,000 acres of land in six different beyond a closed road or trail, even if a follows the principles of ecological geographic regions and 124 miles gate or sign has been vandalized. forestry as originally developed by Jerry of designated summer and winter Franklin at the University of Washington trails, there is ample opportunity for 4. Snowmobiles and other over-snow and expanded upon by forest ecologists a diverse array of non-motorized and vehicles on groomed trails authorized for working throughout the Pacific motorized activities. Recreation on their use and cross country with adequate Northwest. Conservancy-managed land includes, snow cover, unless otherwise posted. ABOUT THE NATURE CONSERVANCY IN WASHINGTON

The Nature Conservancy is the world’s leading conservation nonprofit organization, working in all 50 states and more than 60 countries. In Washington a 25-member volunteer Board of Trustees works with 65 staff members who are implementing innovative solutions to the most pressing conservation needs at a meaningful scale so that nature and people can thrive. © Benj Drummond

5. Hunting and fishing in accordance I. 73.5 miles of groomed snowmobile motorcycle trails. These trails are open with relevant state laws. trails. These trails are open to non- to non-motorized users as well. 6. Dispersed camping, following Leave motorized users as well. IV. 2.2 miles of a regional jeep trail No Trace parameters, consistent with II. 1.4 miles of a groomed dog sled in Little Naches that has historical policies of the Okanogan-Wenatchee trail system that falls within an area significance. This trail is open to National Forest. that is voluntarily non-motorized. ATV’s, motorcycles, and non- 7. Campfires in accordance with III. 3.4 miles of groomed cross motorized users as well. It is the only local and state fire restrictions and in country ski trails that are open to trail or road on the Conservancy compliance with policies outlined by the non-motorized users. Dogs aren’t property that is open to ATV’s. Conservancy. permitted on these trails. Activities Not Permitted: 8. By permit only—noncommercial B. 46.1 miles of summer trails 1. collection of firewood and non-timber Target shooting and trapping is prohibited year-round. Communities locally and across Washington 2. Wheeled motorized use will continue State cherish these lands for the diverse array of to be prohibited on Cle Elum Ridge. Exceptions to this closure are Forest recreational opportunities and iconic landscapes. Service roads 4305, 4305-118 and Forest Service Trail #1340/Sasse Mountain Trail. forest products like mushrooms or cones. I. 1.8 miles of hiking only trails. 3. Permanent and semi-permanent Recreationists can access 124.4 miles of II. 12.6 miles of user-made non- camping structures or cabins (e.g., authorized summer and winter trails. This motorized trails on the Cle Elum hunting or camping cabins) are prohibited includes the following: Ridge, including the popular Rat Pac from being constructed within the Central mountain bike trail. Cascades Forest and if found will be A. 78.3 miles of groomed winter trails III. 29.5 miles of single track removed.

To learn more, contact us: WASHINGTONNATURE.ORG/CENTRALCASCADES 206.343.4344 | [email protected]