Teanaway Community Forest Recreation Planning Update & Stewardship Day

Recreation planning for the Teanaway Community Forest kicked off in October 2016 and will take approximately two years to complete the planning process.

The 50,000-acre forest was purchased by the state in 2013 as the state’s first community forest. Previously owned by a timber company, the Teanaway Community Forest is already a popular place for recreation with three campgrounds, river access spots and a medley of user-built trails. The recreation planning process will better define recreation on the forest, which up until now has occurred more organically than anything else.

The Teanaway Community Forest on a golden autumn day. Photo by Kitty Craig.

The Teanaway Community Forest Advisory Committee, which WTA’s Andrea Imler has a seat on, is working through the development of the recreation plan with insight and expertise provided by local communities and the recreating public.

Elements of the planning process

In order to better define recreation on the Teanaway Community Forest, the departments of Natural Resources (DNR) and Fish and Wildlife (DFW), who co-manage the forest, are analyzing a number of factors in partnership with the Advisory Committee. Together the agencies and committee members will look at the suitability of the Teanaway Community Forest for factors such as:

• Wildlife impacts and interactions
• Roads (open and closed)
• Current recreation in the area
• Community connections (Cle Elum, Roslyn)
• Recreation interest and needs

Future recreation on the forest must meet the legislated recreation goals of the forest “to maintain and where possible expand recreational opportunities consistent with watershed protection, for activities such as hiking, fishing, hunting, horseback riding, camping, birding, and snowmobiling.” In addition, the recreation goals must be accomplished by balancing all five legislated goals of the forest (Teanaway Management Plan).

Get Involved in the Future of the Teanaway Community Forest

There are many possibilities for new trails and other recreation opportunities on the Teanaway Community Forest. But DNR and DFW need hikers and other people who love trails and the great outdoors to get involved. Here are a few ways you can get involved:

Join a Stewardship Day in the Teanaway on May 6^th

8:30 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. 

Join DNR staff and partners to care for the Teanaway Community Forest. Volunteers will be installing picnic tables, maintaining fire rings, picking up litter and other restoration work. Volunteers can start at either 8:00 a.m., to join us installing picnic tables, or 10:00 a.m., for more family-friendly volunteer opportunities and general clean-up. Agency staff will be leading forest tours to provide opportunities to learn more about recreation, biology and restoration within the Teanaway Community Forest. After, join us for a BBQ celebration. Click here to RSVP and learn more details. 

Keep track of public meetings, attend and lend your voice

The Teanaway Community Forest is chock-full of great information on the recreation planning process and various activities taking place the forest. Check out the webpage and while you’re at it, sign up for the forest’s mailing list. By doing so, you’ll be alerted to upcoming Teanaway Community Forest meetings.