The heavily forested Cascade foothills are the regions' largest remaining area of undeveloped land. Much of the area is actively logged and under ownership of both small farm foresters and large timber companies. These areas are vital to the water quality and quantity of downstream areas, provide long-term employment for rural communities as well as being important wildlife habitat. 

Working forests are increasingly under threat of conversion to single family residencies and vacation homes. The economic impact and negative environmental consequences of conversion have led the Cascade Land Conservancy to seek ways to keep forestry viable in a time of land speculation.

Our 100 year plan for the region, The Cascade Agenda calls for the conservation of 93% of existing working forest land totaling close to 800,000 acres.  This would provide the 300 to 350 million board feet of timber needed to support mills in our region.

CLC uses several standard and innovative conservation tools to conserve working forestlands.  In addition to being highly successful in receiving federal and state funding to purchase conservation easements on working forestlands, we have protected forestlands through innovative and creative methods including Transfer of Development Rights programs and Conservation Development.