Land Trust Campaign Brings Lookout Close to Reality

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Juy 20, 2026

Contact: Michelle Tiegel, Capital Campaign Manager, [email protected], (509)667-9708

Land Trust Campaign Brings Lookout Natural Area (čkuwá x̌ qən) Close to Reality 

Fundraising campaign reaches 90% of its goal – looking to reach 100% by Sept. 30 

WENATCHEE — Earlier this year, a remarkable landscape above the Wenatchee Valley known as Lookout Natural Area was permanently protected. Today, the Chelan-Douglas Land Trust (CDLT) and the City of Wenatchee are inviting the community to help reach the $2.47 million goal and shape what comes next by participating in a public meeting open house to plan the Lookout Area trailhead and trails. 

At a media event held today at Wenatchee City Hall, the Mayor of Wenatchee and the Land Trust announced the final phase of its community-wide campaign to support future trailhead development, public access, and long-term stewardship for the newly protected 134-acre Lookout Natural Area (čkuwá x̌ qən), located above Sunnyslope on an arm of Burch Mountain. 

“Protecting the land was the first milestone. Now we’re working toward creating a place where wildlife continues to thrive and our community’s enjoyment of nature can happen,” said Hanne Bosket, Executive Director of the Chelan-Douglas Land Trust. “The vision has always been bigger than land protection alone. It is about protecting this important connectivity to other public lands and more vast open spaces, creating thoughtful public access, and caring for it forever. Now we are inviting the community to bring Lookout Natural Area to life by helping us with the final 10 percent needed for the campaign."

With sweeping views of the Columbia River, the Wenatchee Valley, and the Enchantments, Lookout Natural Area connects to more than 168,000 acres of public lands and provides important habitat for mule deer, bighorn sheep, native plants, and pollinators. The property is the first City owned natural area north of the Wenatchee River, expanding future opportunities for residents and visitors to connect with nature close to home.

Lookout Natural Area builds upon more than four decades of conservation success in the Wenatchee Foothills and represents the next chapter in a long-standing public-private partnership among the Chelan-Douglas Land Trust, the City of Wenatchee, local landowners, public agencies, and community supporters.

The name Lookout, čkuwá x̌ qən, was chosen in partnership with members of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation. It honors the landscape’s cultural significance and sweeping views and reflects the spirit of a place where people and nature can thrive together. 

The Ohme brothers, whose family owned and cared for the property for several decades, reflected on the significance of the project. 

“Our grandfather felt the power of this landscape long before we were born. It is where we learned to walk. Preserving it as a place for the community to walk feels like completing his vision.” 

The protection of Lookout Natural Area was made possible through a public-private partnership involving the City of Wenatchee, the Land Trust, state grant funding, and local philanthropy. Earlier this year, private support helped secure the match needed for an $800,000 grant through Washington’s Wildlife and Recreation Program, making permanent protection of the property possible. 

That achievement reflects years of work by City of Wenatchee Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Director Dave Erickson and Chelan-Douglas Land Trust Conservation Director Mickey Fleming. Their expertise in land acquisition and grant leveraging, along with their persistence, helped move Lookout from a long-term vision to a protected public asset. 

Now, when the campaign reaches its $2.47 million goal, it will help unlock an additional $1 million WWRP grant for future trailhead development and public access improvements. 

“Lookout Natural Area is the kind of project that benefits the whole community,” said Mayor Mike Poirier. “It protects wildlife habitat and open space, preserves views that make Wenatchee special, and creates future opportunities for people to enjoy nature close to home. Outdoor recreation is part of our local identity and part of our local economy. When we protect open space, we are investing in our residents, our economy, and the character of our community.” 

National research from Trust for Public Land has found that every dollar invested in parks and recreation returns, on average, at least three dollars in local economic benefits, including benefits related to health, local spending, tax revenue, and tourism. 

Lookout Natural Area is not yet open for general public access. Public access will be planned carefully with the community to balance recreation, wildlife protection, neighboring properties, seasonal closures, and long-term stewardship. 

The Land Trust will host a Public Access Planning Open House on Wednesday, Sept. 2, at 5:30 p.m. at the Wenatchee Fire Station – Olds Station. Community members are invited to learn more, ask questions, and share their vision for how Lookout Natural Area can come to life over time. 

Community members can learn more, watch the campaign videos, and support the project at: https://www.cdlandtrust.org/what-we-do/land-conservation/wenatchee-foothills/lookout-natural-area 

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For more than 40 years, the Chelan-Douglas Land Trust has worked to conserve the natural areas, working lands, and rural character of North Central Washington. Through partnerships with landowners, public agencies, and community members, CDLT has permanently protected more than 26,600 acres throughout the region, including many of the beloved landscapes that make up the Wenatchee Foothills.

Help us spread the word! Click here to view the media kit with assets and ways you can get involved. 

Youtube videos: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfe9fCWgvhxU 

All Photos are by Dave Masuda