Bear Ridge Community Forest

Bear Ridge Community Forest was established by the City of Ilwaco, Washington, in 2022, in order to protect the Indian Creek Reservoir that provides water to the city. Additional goals include increasing public access and recreation tourism for the region.

Some of the community benefits that this property provides include:

  1. Public health benefits through protection of the Indian Creek Reservoir and the city’s water supply.

  2. Sustainable management of the productive forests on the property may produce timber revenue for the city and continue to support the region’s forest economy.

  3. Plans are underway for a multi-use trail system that would provide a recreational resource for the local community and attract tourists to support the small community’s businesses.

This image shows a reservoir surrounded by forested ridges.

Indian Creek Reservoir is now completely surrounded by the Bear Ridge Community Forest

Photo provided by Matt Lessnau

Additional Property Facts:

  1. The property neighbors Willapa National Wildlife Refuge, extending valuable habitat for fish and wildlife.

  2. The property is 875 acres and completely surround the Indian Creek Reservoir.

  3. The purchase was funded by the Washington Clean Water State Revolving Fund and a United States Forest Service Community Forest Program Grant, as well as a congressional earmark in 2021, and supported by the Trust for Public Land.

While the key objective of Bear Ridge Community Forest is protecting Ilwaco’s water supply, it demonstrates the suite of benefits a community can enjoy by owning neighboring forest land.

This image shows several forested ridges with the ocean visible in the background. Some patches have recently been harvested, while others are mature forest.

Right: Bear Ridge boasts views towards the City of Ilwaco and the mouth of the Columbia River into the Pacific Ocean.

This image shows a person walking through the forest and out into a clearing.

Left: City Council member Matt Lessnau walks through the community forest. The City is exploring ways to open the property to public recreation, while protecting their water supply.

Photos: Matt Lessnau

This document is supported in part by financial assistance from the Forest Service. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.