Chelan-Douglas Land Trust has acquired a 20-acre parcel of land on the northeast side of Saddle Rock, which will expand the Saddle Rock Natural Area in Wenatchee. The land is adjacent to the eastern border of the City of Wenatchee’s Saddle Rock Natural Area and connects existing trails through rich mule deer habitat. The Land Trust has had an interest in this land for over eight years and was approached by the family who owned the land to close the purchase in April 2023.
Executive Director of the Land Trust, Eunice Youmans, expressed gratitude for the overwhelming financial support from the community, which demonstrates their love for the Foothills trail system and generosity towards the cause.
The Land Trust is now exploring new ways to better steward their land portfolio and to consider new opportunities to protect recreational, conservation, and working lands in Chelan and Douglas Counties.
The Land Trust is working to identify and plan for how climate change will impact lands in the area and how to mitigate these changes. They have also promoted former Trails Manager, Hanne Beener, to lead a new project to develop regional financial support for the protection and management of public access across properties held by multiple landowners in Chelan County. Additionally, they are seeking a Director for Climate, Access, and Stewardship to lead the Fields team as they prioritize climate change data in the lands management strategy.