Upper Wenatchee Watershed Phases 1 & 2

The Upper Wenatchee Basin is a landscape of striking beauty and ecological richness, where steep mountain slopes give way to river valleys, and the forests provide sanctuary for people and wildlife alike. But the basin’s patchwork of public and private land has long presented challenges, forming a checkerboard of ownership that impacts everything from recreation access to wildlife health and wildfire management. For more than two decades, the Chelan County community and partners have worked to protect these forestlands in the Upper Wenatchee watershed. Now, the first phases of that vision are reality.

Trust for Public Land, alongside community partners, has successfully protected 11,520 acres—expanding recreation access, strengthening capacity to respond to catastrophic wildfire impacts, and safeguarding a critical wildlife corridor. This milestone secures locally treasured landscapes, including part of the Horse Lake Mountain summit, the connection between No. 2 Canyon and Sage Hills trails, and a vital link to a 50-mile trail system west of Wenatchee.

This achievement is part of a broader commitment. In 2022, TPL secured an opportunity to acquire up to 35,000 acres in the Upper Wenatchee watershed by 2030. With Phases 1 and 2 complete, The Chelan County community moves closer to realizing its long-term vision in The Upper Wenatchee Community Lands Plan. It prioritizes this landscape for conservation, recognizing the far-reaching benefits for both people and the planet, including:

Expanding outdoor recreation: The Upper Wenatchee watershed is a cornerstone of the region’s outdoor recreation economy. It attracts millions of visitors annually, supporting local businesses, creating jobs, and strengthening the economy which relies on outdoor tourism. Nearly 90% of residents and visitors engage in activities like hiking, biking, fishing, hunting, snowmobiling, skiing, and climbing. Expanding public access to existing trails and creating opportunities for new trails will help relieve overcrowding, bolster the local economy, and ensure future generations can connect with and care for treasured places.

Strengthening opportunities to prevent and respond to catastrophic wildfire: The region’s hot, dry summers and falls make forest restoration essential, but mixed landownership prevents holistic landscape-scale management. As wildfire threats grow and development pushes deeper into forested areas, the risk to rural residents and surrounding communities rises. This project creates opportunity for the USFS to enhance wildfire resilience and public safety, while also allowing for public input on land use.

Protecting wildlife habitat: The Upper Wenatchee watershed connects the snowy peaks of the Cascades to the Columbia River Valley. Safeguarding these forests means protecting habitat and critical travel corridors for wildlife throughout the region.

With Phases 1 and 2 complete, TPL and partners are actively working to secure funding for the next phases—ensuring more of this landscape is protected for future generations. You can help make this vision a reality.

Join us in preserving the Upper Wenatchee