Providing Support in Cape Meares

The Cape Meares Watershed Conservancy Project was created to preserve the Cape Meares Forest and Coleman Creek Watershed through forest land acquisition. Photo by Miriam Fultz for CMCA

A vista of Cape Meares. Photo by C. Smith

A map of the proposed acquisition, which is adjacent to the Cape Meares National Wildlife Refuge.

Cape Meares Community Association makes progress on forestland conservation

The nonprofit Cape Meares Community Association (CMCA) is leading a conservation project to help protect surrounding forestland and the Coleman Creek Watershed, while also potentially expanding the boundary of the adjacent Cape Meares National Wildlife Refuge, managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS).

In June 2023, CMCA signed a final sales agreement to purchase 107 acres of forestland in Tillamook County by May 2024. This will be a major milestone in preserving and safeguarding habitat for the community for future generations. The parcel is adjacent to 106 acres of community forest owned by CMCA since 2007, and it will create a connection to the Cape Meares National Wildlife Refuge and the Cape Meares State Scenic Viewpoint.

This conservation project began in in October 2021, and in September 2022, CMCA established its Project Team. Later in the year, the team asked NCLC to advise on matters related to the project, such as land acquisition and forest management. NCLC has continued supporting the project in a facilitation capacity. Read More

(As of spring 2024, CMCA was close to purchasing this significant portion of their watershed—they were just $75,000 short of reaching their goal! To learn more or inquire about supporting the project, visit capemeares.org/community or email capemearesca@gmail.com.)