John,

Our partners at Washington Environmental Council have been working for years with the City of Ilwaco, and we are thrilled that earlier this year the City’s Community Forest project received critical funding from the US Forest Service's Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Grant Program. As one of 10 projects on this year’s list, funds for Ilwaco’s Bear Ridge Community Forest will help to protect the City's vital water reservoir and drinking water in perpetuity, while providing new opportunities for outdoor education and recreation-based economic development in Southwest Washington.

Protecting clean water, ensuring all Washingtonians have safe access to the outdoors, and supporting the sustainable management of forestlands is at the core of WEC's Evergreen Forests program work. And through the Bear Ridge Community Forest project, they are continuing to work in partnership to deliver benefits for the environment, economy, ecosystem, and community’s health.

Community Forests are working forests owned and managed by municipalities, government agencies, Tribes, and non-profit organizations for the benefit of local communities. Across Washington, Community Forests are delivering the triple-bottom line for communities: social, ecological, and economic benefits.

The US Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service is awarding $4 million to fund 10 Community Forest projects across seven states, supporting the creation, expansion, and enhancement of community spaces. And, grant awardees, like Ilwaco’s Bear Ridge, will collectively leverage an additional $8 million in matching funds. 

Whether it’s in Ilwaco, Chewelah, Chimacum, Nisqually, or Glenwood, we know these investments pay off for Washington's communities. You can learn more about past successes with Community Forest projects, and how they come to life and deliver benefits by visiting our partner WEC's website here.

Onward,

Max Webster
Evergreen Forests Program Manager