Property owners Jabe Blumenthal, Julie Edsforth, and Don Poirier place a conservation easement, held by the Land Trust, on their Hay Canyon Ranch property – permanently protecting these lands from any future development. The property also has some unique qualities that make it particularly resilient to the effects of climate change. Its large size, diversity of habitat - from shrub-steppe to forest - and the connectivity to public lands will allow plants and wildlife the room to move and re-establish as our climate changes. 

The Land Trust swaps two parts of its Entiat River properties that were suitable for building for additional high-quality salmon habitat along the river. This connects 120 acres and over 1 mile of riverfront in the Stillwaters section of the Entiat River. Floodplain and side-channel restoration efforts begin with the removal of the unfinished, faltering bridge.

The City of Wenatchee’s new Saddle Rock Trailhead opens with funding help secured by CDLT. The same month, the Foothills Campaign Donor Pavilion at Saddle Rock Natural Area is constructed and dedicated.

The Land Trust begins restoration on 13 acres of our high-priority salmon habitat property in the Entiat by removing structures, including a large house. The house is moved 1 mile down valley providing a home for a couple. The outbuildings were dismantled and repurposed to provide support for families affected by the Carlton fires of 2014.
 

The Land Trust receives the generous gift of 22 acres up Number 1 Canyon in Wenatchee from Ed and Bev Baugh. This land provides wildlife habitat, open natural space, and adds to the conserved land in Number 1 and Number 2 Canyons in the Wenatchee Foothills.

The Land Trust purchases 105 acres of the popular Sage Hills trail from the Lester family. This section of trail was the only privately-owned section of the Wenatchee Foothills trail system and was at risk for development. It is now permanently protected for wildlife, recreation, and community enjoyment. Ownership of this property plus 32 acres of the Sage Hills trail was transferred to the City of Wenatchee in Feb. 2017. CDLT still actively plays a role in managing the trail system.

Curt Soper is hired as the CDLT's new Executive Director. He replaces Bob Bugert who moves into the part-time position of Partnerships Director.