About

Heybrook Ridge has been saved from clear-cutting

 

Index, Snohomish County — The Cascade Land Conservancy has joined with a grassroots group of residents, outdoor enthusiasts, Snohomish County elected officials and a generous anonymous donor to save a forested mountain ridge near Index. 

Index is a hamlet in eastern

Snohomish County just off Highway 2 in the

Skykomish Valley.  Efforts have been under way for several months to conserve Heybrook Ridge, 130 acres of mature forest that provides a stunningly beautiful backdrop for the town’s 150 residents and the many visitors to the area.  The Index Town Wall is a popular rock-climbing destination. 

Now all the elements needed for the $1.21 million purchase of the property are in place.  Action by the Snohomish Conservation Futures Advisory Board, Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon and the Snohomish County Council are expected to come together over the next few weeks to make the conservation of the property a reality.   

““Our vision of a

forest park that offers education as well as recreation will soon be a reality,” said Louise Lindgren of the Friends of Heybrook Ridge.  

“Partnering with the CLC and local residents to purchase Heybrook Ridge allows us to provide a legacy to the residents of Index and the region,” said Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon.  “Under the County’s protection, Heybrook Ridge will continue to provide opportunities for hiking and climbing and contribute to the natural beauty of the area.” 

“This is a great example of a community coming together to preserve a local jewel that is central to both its charm and character.  All of us owe a big thank you to the Friends of Heybrook Ridge for making this happen,” said County Councilmember Dave Somers, whose district includes the Index area.

“What a wonderful accomplishment for the resident of Index and the county,” said Maryanne Tagney Jones, CLC Board Chair. “The region will soon have a new park right on the edge of the new Wild Sky Wilderness Area.” 

“Cooperation and partnerships are the key to maintaining the regions quality of life,” said

Gene Duvernoy, President, Cascade Land Conservancy. “The Conservancy is pleased to have worked with the Friends of Heybrook Ridge,

Snohomish County and the landowner, WB Foresters, to make this project a reality.” 

The Cascade Land Conservancy secured an option to purchase the property which was set to expire July 31, 2008. The property was appraised at $1.21 million, which the landowners have accepted.  

Friends of Heybrook Ridge are contributing $550,000, including $500,000 from an anonymous donor. 

Snohomish County through the Snohomish Conservation Futures voted Tuesday to approve $700,000 for the project. The Conservancy is exercising its option on the property and a sale agreement is being worked out with the County, Friends of Heybrook Ridge and landowners over the next week. Snohomish County Parks will be the eventual owner of the property with the Friends of Heybrook Ridge contributing additional funding toward trail building and interpretation. 

“The smooth formation of this purchasing partnership showcases the importance of preserving Heybrook Ridge for our county.  Conserving this forested treasure is a once in a lifetime opportunity and will benefit generations to come,” said County Councilmember Brian Sullivan, who as Chair of the Finance Committee, helped make funding a reality. 

Besides the importance of the land to the residents of Index, the ridge’s impacts reach far beyond them. 

The forest regrew naturally, after an early logging of the ridge’s old-growth timber, so it’s considered an “outdoor classroom” for students of all ages. For example, a

University of

Washington, Bothell, professor, David Stokes, has taken students onto the ridge to study its ecology.  Supporters also point to a new U.S. Forest Service program, More Kids in the Woods, which could be a natural fit.   

Index also benefits.  Its general store, B&Bs, and new

Outdoor Adventures Center cater to hikers, climbers, and river adventure enthusiasts. Index and Heybrook Ridge will now become an important gateway to the new Wild Sky Wilderness Area.

 

 

Go HERE to see our maps of Heybrook Ridge with proposed trails and parcels.

To view our documentary, check out “MAY THE FOREST BE WITH YOU.”

See our recent PRESS COVERAGE about this wave-making, fundraising grant on the KCTS Channel 9, King 5, Seattle Times, Everett Herald, and Monroe Monitor websites.

Please, please donate online or by mail, and you will help to be a part of this community-based conservation effort.

THANK YOU!

The Friends of Heybrook Ridge

P.O. Box 387

Index, WA 98256

HEYBROOK RIDGE

Standing between the north and south forks of the Skykomish River is Heybrook Ridge. This ridge serves as a staircase to the towering peaks of the proposed Wild Sky Wilderness. When it was announced that over 95 acres of timber were to be harvested from the ridge, the Friends of Heybrook Ridge came together to find a way to save it. The land owners graciously agreed to put the logging on hold and give the friends time to raise money to purchase the land. The friends hope to establish an educational and recreational wonderland to serve as a living laboratory of natural forest growth. The IMPACTS of this project are diverse and long-ranging and are attracting national PRESS attention.

OUR VISION:

Friends of Heybrook Ridge support establishment of an educational and recreational forest park on Heybrook Ridge, that will serve as a “living laboratory” of natural forest growth; preserve and interpret the area’s cultural and natural history; and provide recreational and cultural tourism opportunities for the region.

OUR MISSION:

Friends of Heybrook Ridge will work in partnership with a broad range of agencies and organizations to purchase land on the ridge for establishment of the Heybrook Ridge Education and Recreation Area. The Friends intend to work with these partnerships in order to preserve flora and fauna of the ridge in perpetuity and to develop recreational and focused learning experiences for a diverse population.

WHO ARE WE?

The Friends of Heybrook Ridge is a non-profit corporation governed by a board of eleven trustees. We are a growing group of volunteers based in Index, Washington, with new Friends added every day from around the Pacific Northwest and beyond. Our goal is to raise $1.3 million by June 2008 to save pristine Heybrook Ridge from clear-cut logging and to preserve it in perpetuity for a recreational and educational trail system. We need your help. Become a Friend of Heybrook Ridge at any of the following levels:

 

Forest Friend ……….…up to $499

Panorama Patron …… $500-$999

Ridge-top Rescuers…. $1000-$4999

Summit Super Sponsor .. $5000 to $9999

Adopt An Acre ………. $10,000

Heybrook Heroes………$10,001 +

 

WHEN AND WHERE DO WE MEET?

Meetings are held on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month, 7PM, at the Fire Hall in Index. Friends are informed of actions and planned events by e-mail and through our Website as well as with a monthly progress report.

HOW CAN NEW FRIENDS HELP OUT?

In addition to donations, we need volunteers! If you would like to help with fundraising events, give our Power Point presentation to community groups, or research and write grants, contact us. Most of all we need our Friends to share this site with others and ask them to give whatever they can ASAP! We only have until June 30th 2008!!

WHAT IS OUR NONPROFIT STATUS?

Friends of Heybrook Ridge is a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the IRS code, effective March 7, 2007. Your donation is deductible for computing income and estate taxes.

EIN: #51-0629374

Comments (13)

13 Responses to “About”

  1. Thom Boullioun on 09 Mar 2008 at 12:03 am #

    Hello, Nice website. Good to see you folks online. I would like to discuss purchasing one of your books. It is a large volumn and I actually don’t know the name of it. I had talked with David about buying one from him at his home. Is that still possible? Thanks, Thom

  2. Cate Burnett on 14 Mar 2008 at 2:03 am #

    Here’s to a grassroots effort! Thank you ‘Friends’! Let’s keep up the awesome work!!! :)

  3. Heath Ashli on 14 Mar 2008 at 9:29 pm #

    I’ve added a “Save Heybrook Ridge” set to my flicker page. See set here http://www.flickr.com/photos/heathashli/sets/72157604117118712/

  4. Louise Lindgren on 24 Mar 2008 at 10:09 pm #

    Thanks to the Friends efforts on the great Website and also to Heath for adding us to the flicker page. Nice photos there! Spread the word, and I’m sure we can succeed in matching that wonderful $500,000 challenge grant!

  5. Louise Lindgren on 10 Apr 2008 at 4:23 pm #

    Wild Sky passed the Senate today, April 10 — Yahoo!

    Congratulations to all who helped bring this dream to reality.
    Now let’s make sure Heybrook Ridge is saved so it can become the “Gateway to the Wild Sky” our nation’s newest Wilderness Area!
    Louise Lindgren, President, Friends of Heybrook Ridge

  6. Steve Murray on 09 May 2008 at 1:12 pm #

    Hey folks, heard about you from another NW exile here in New Mexico. Your PayPal connection doesn’t seem to be working, fix it quick!

    Anyway, will send a donation to save some trees and your unique town rather than spend it on this endless primary campaign…

    Why don’t you get Obama to mention it in a speech? Great publicity for you and it’ll make him look good!

  7. William G. Wakefield II on 10 May 2008 at 7:41 pm #

    Good luck in your precious endeavor. Hope our link has helped.

  8. Margy Olmstead on 12 May 2008 at 12:38 pm #

    I heard about Heybrook Ridge’s plight through my membership in the Pacific Northwest Society of Indexers and just made a donation through the PayPal link on your website. There are many other PNW indexers who are sympathetic with Index Washington’s fight to stay beautiful. Good luck and stay strong! Margy Olmstead

  9. Heath Ashli on 18 May 2008 at 4:47 pm #

    We should put canisters by the checkouts of local businesses all the way from Skykomish to Monroe. People generally will throw their change in from each transaction.

  10. Louise Lindgren on 19 May 2008 at 1:18 pm #

    Donations should be made out to “Friends of Heybrook Ridge” and can be sent by snail-mail to PO Box 387, Index, WA 98256. Thanks for asking, and we’ll make sure the PayPal link is fixed and our PO Box is placed prominently on the Website.

  11. Louise Lindgren on 19 May 2008 at 1:45 pm #

    The donation can is a good idea, Heath, and I’ll bring it up at our meeting May 20 at 7:00 p.m. at the Index Fire Hall and we’ll see if we can get volunteers to work on that. Our meetings are always the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month at the Fire Hall. All are welcome!

  12. Webmaster on 31 Jul 2008 at 12:54 pm #

    WE WON!!!!!

  13. Louise Lindgren on 31 Jul 2008 at 10:48 pm #

    Thanks to everyone who worked so hard to make our dream a reality! We had supporters donating from $10 to $10,000 each from 11 states and two other countries. Of course, none of this would have happened without our $500,000 anonymous donor to him we are deeply grateful.
    Particular thanks to the cooperative owners, the Buse family, without whose willingness to sell this could never have happened. We also owe much to our strong board of directors, the Cascade Land Conservancy and Snohomish County Council Chair Dave Somers who have been with us from the beginning, doing research behind the scenes and putting the puzzle pieces in place for success. Because of their diligence we can now add thanks to Snohomish County Parks management, members of the County Council, County Executive Aaron Reardon, and the Conservation Futures Board.
    We are looking forward to receiving final approval from the Council on August 4 and fully intend to continue our efforts as Friends of Heybrook Ridge (Park) in order to establish that educational and recreational trail system that is key to our vision on the ridge. Thanks, finally, to our Webmaster for making it possible to share this with all of you!
    Louise Lindgren, President

Trackback URI | Comments RSS

Leave a Reply