On Wednesday, May 8, the group came together at the East Moraine Community Forest, a 1,800-acre property, has been a cherished piece of Wallowa County for generations. In 2021 it was officially established to maintain “scenic, cultural, rangeland, and forestland open space uses; public recreation; and educational uses” . - EMCF Management Plan

To start the Forum’s presentation, Kel Hoffman, Wallowa Resources and Katy Nesbitt, Wallowa, presented on the history, goals, and management efforts of the East Moraine Community Forest. Read about the full visit below.

On Tuesday, May 7, Coalition members visited Mount Emily Recreation Area (MERA), so see the property’s unique intersection between recreational access and forest management. Led by Josh Ford, MERA Parks Coordinator with Union County, the group toured a two mile section of the 3,700-acre property.

On Wednesday Afternoon, Josh Ford, MERA Parks Coordinator, presented on the history, goals, and management efforts of MERA. You can view the presentation materials below.

MERA is a recreational oriented forest property, owned and managed by Union County.

The first panel during the 2024 Forum focused on how Regional and National Environmental Organizations have and can support community forest efforts.

This panel was facilitated by Paulina Racette, with Trust for Public Land and included presentations from:

Mitsu Iwasaki, Northwest Region Director, TPL

Jane Kiker, Director of Conservation Transactions, TNC – Washington

Mik McKee, Stewardship Director, Western Rivers.

Each panelist presented specific case studies, which were able to highlight how their individual organization engages in community forest projects. Watch the event recording from 01:00:00 – 02:00:00 to view the full presentation.

Photo: Cle Elum Ridge - TNC Washington

The second panel of the 2024 Forum discussed Hunting and Access Issues in Community Forests, and opportunities to plan for and management public access as properties come into Public Ownership.

This panel was moderated by Erin McKay, with Chelan County Natural Resources and included presentations from:

Jim Akenson, Board Member with Oregon Hunters Association and area resident.

Bill Richardson, Director of Conservation with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

Jon Paustain, Conservation Biologist and Access and Habitat Coordinator with Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.

This panel was effective at highlighting local hunting priorities and issues within Wallowa County, opportunities to use State resources to support managing hunting and public access programs on properties.

Mike Lithgow, Information and Outreach Coordinator with the Kalispel Tribe presented on the Tribes planning and management process for the Indian Creek Community Forest, and how the Community Forest is a tool to connect Tribal members to resources and education opportunities, as well as a resource for the broader community within Pend Oreille County.

The Second Day of the 2024 Forum began with multiple short presentations on opportunities for Community Forest projects to receive funding and support.

These presentations include updates from the Weyerhaeuser Family Foundation and the Washington Opportunity Fund, two private funding mechanisms able to provide capacity for Community Forest Projects.

The Final Panel of the 2024 Forum discussed innovative financing efforts and how new approaches to financing can increase the capacity for growth and community forest ownership.

This panel was hosted by Jay McLaughlin, Executive Director of Mt. Adams Resource Stewards, one of the first community forests in the State of Washington.

Panelists included:

Reggie Hall with the Legacyworks Group

Spenser Shadle with Alder Point Capital

Erika Lindholm, Consultant with Craft3 Lending

Kaola Swanson with the Conservation Fund

Each panelist discussed how private financing, or alternative financing models have, or will be able to better utilize available funding resources to alleviate the reliance on State and Federal Grant awards as the sole tool to fund future Community Forest Land Acquisition Efforts.