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In the small town of Index Washington, a community is rallying around a great cause: meet the June 2008 deadline to raise $1.3 million to save the 95 acre forest on Heybrook Ridge for generations to come. They have recently received a $500,000 Challenge Grant which will double the value of all donations. The forest is due to be clear-cut this summer unless the money can be raised to purchase it for public use. This is a brief glimpse into their story and the forest, wildlife and dreams of a community which they hope to preserve.
The Friends of Heybrook Ridge are partnering with the Cascade Land Conservancy (CLC) to raise the money and, CLC has negotiated an "Option to Buy" agreement with the landowner W.B. Foresters, Inc., expiring June 30, 2008.
Not only does this dynamic partnership hope to prevent clear cutting but also to open the protected land for the public’s enjoyment and education. The Friends of Heybrook Ridge plan to create hiking trials for Index and the surrounding communities including Seattle which is only a short hour’s drive away. The community explains their vision by stating, “Friends of Heybrook Ridge support establishment of an educational and recreational forest park on Heybrook Ridge, that will serve as a “living laboratory” of natural forest growth; preserve and interpret the area’s cultural and natural history; and provide recreational and cultural tourism opportunities for the region.”
With the land of Heybrook Ridge they will build educational hiking trails through the blended forested. They expect to provide education about the plants, animals and history of Heybrook Ridge. The Ridge is home to diverse plant life and wildlife. A recent survey of the land showed that there are 164 species of plants and 113 animal and insect species. Plant life includes a variety of conifers, hardwoods, brush, ferns, herbs, mosses, lichens and fungi. Animals that find refuge on the land include bears, coyotes, deer, owls, ospreys, turkeys, hummingbirds and butterflies. The Ridge also has a rich cultural history. The Skykomish people dwelled in the area before the European settlers. To learn more about the history of the area you may go to http://www.indexwa.org.
The Friends of Heybrook Ridge are not only enthusiastic about the opportunity of owning, protecting and doing environmental development on the Ridge, but they are also highly concerned about the alternative: clear cutting. Clear cutting directly endangers the people and wildlife of the community. One of the largest problems that clear cutting causes in several Washington State communities is the increase risk of flooding. The forest naturally helps absorb excess rain. With the forest gone, during heavy rains, excessive water run-off would lead to floods. The pictures in this article are of a flood that took place in 2006. The community fears with clear cutting, floods and their damage would increase and become more dangerous and devastating. The flood of 2006 severely damaged the county road at the base of Heybrook Ridge, threw large logs through two homes in towns, tore cabins upstream from their riverbanks, and flooded many homes both in town and downstream.
By protecting the forest not only are they protecting the people of their town and surrounding communities (floods also affect communities downstream) but also protecting spawning salmon and other fish. The Skykomish River contains Chinook salmon which are on the federal list of threatened and endangered species, as well as Steelhead and a variety of trout.
Friends of Heybrook Ridge have already been very successful in raising money for this important cause and have recently obtained their tax refundable non profit status which will allow them to apply for grants and receive larger donations. With the recently received $500,000 Challenge Grant any donation you make will automatically be doubled in value. If you are interested in learning more about this community and ways you can donate or help save the forest please view their website at http://www.heybrookridge.org or email Louise Lindgren, President at camlind@richpoor.net.
Their website is very informative and clear. Below is an excerpt from their website that expands on their vision:
Increased Recreation Opportunities
Cultural and Natural History Educational Programs