Preservationists Organize to Protect 3,000 Acres of Forest Near Seattle

A timber company is nearing the end of its deal to log the Port Gamble Forest, so local preservationists are raising money to protect the forest from development.

January 16, 2017, 12pm PST | James Brasuell | @CasualBrasuell

The timber industry has been at work in Port Gamble since the mid-19th century.

J Brew

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"A community effort is under way to protect 3,000 acres of land from development near Port Gamble to preserve access to trails and other recreation uses, wildlife habitat and water quality," according to an article by Lynda V. Mapes.

A conservation on-profit called Forterra is leading a regional coalition in an effort to but the land from Pope Resources, the timber company that currently owns the land.

"The campaign is the culmination of a multiyear strategy that has already protected 1,355 acres from development, with $2.3 million from the state Department of Ecology. Another $700,000 from community donations has been raised so far, leaving $2.8 million still needed to buy the remaining 1,645 acres by July 2017," according to Mapes.

The article provides more details about the forest's current state, after generations of logging and continued preservation efforts, as well as a testimony from local tribal representatives about the significance of the forest.

Full Story:

Saving the Port Gamble Forest, a natural jewel, from development: ‘It’s our heritage and it’s our future’

Published on Saturday, January 14, 2017 in The Seattle Times