Cascade Forest Conservancy

Cascade Forest Conservancy (CFC) is the only non-profit organization focused entirely on protecting and sustaining the forests, streams, wildlife, and communities in the southern Washington Cascades through conservation, education, and advocacy.

Our projects and strategies are designed to ensure that our region is one where native life–flora, fauna, microbes, the entire biota–thrive in diverse forest and aquatic ecosystems. We strive for a region resilient to the effects of climate change – one that is sustainably managed and supports the economies of flourishing rural communities through recreation, tourism, and competent caring use, so that it may continue to inspire and nourish for centuries to come.

Conservation: Cascade Forest Conservancy draws from the latest science, Traditional Indigenous Knowledge, and our intimate understanding of the region we serve to speak out against actions that could damage ecosystems in our region. We are also leading the way by actively restoring places damaged from bad management in the past, and working to study and identify places where additional protections can make a lasting difference.

Education: We believe people feel connected to place and empowered to make a difference when they learn more about the ecology of their region and the threats it faces. Every year, CFC provides hundreds of volunteers of all ages with one-of-a-kind opportunities to work alongside experts in the field on science and restoration projects that are improving conditions in the Cascades. We also strive to empower our community to speak up for places they care about by providing detailed information about when and how to engage in public comment opportunities or by holding public events where audience members are given chances to raise their voices and help shape public policy for the better.     

Advocacy: Cascade Forest Conservancy is a watchdog for decisions that impact public lands. We are a founding member of two Forest Collaboratives, groups that facilitate discussion between federal agencies, conservationists, timber companies, Tribes, and other interested parties, to shape forest management through civil discussion. 

We also have a long history of successful litigation and continue to take a stand when decisions threaten to harm our region.

In addition to speaking out against harmful actions, we are also leading the way forward by advocating for new protections for treasured landmarks and critical habitat areas, like our #NoPlaceForAMine campaign designed to protect a pristine valley in the foothills of Mount St. Helens from repeated attempts to prospect and mine in the area. We’re successful thanks to a growing coalition of local businesses, elected officials, non-profits, Tribes, and concerned individuals who we bring together to speak for a common goal.  

Global problems, local solutions: We’re working to understand how global problems, like climate change, will impact ecosystems in the southern Washington Cascades, and what we can do about it on the local level.

We are protecting and increasing the amount of old-growth and mature forests throughout our region, as science continues to show that older forests in Washington play an outsized role in capturing and storing carbon, slowing the acceleration of global warming. We’re also employing restoration techniques to improve damaged habitats and make them resilient enough to withstand the changes that are already underway, so that life in our region thrives for years and decades to come.

Powered by Grassroots: Cascade Forest Conservancy was founded nearly four decades ago by people who volunteered their time and energy to speak out against the destruction of the places they loved. A lot has changed since then, but our greatest strength today, as it was then, is a community of people like you who want to see a better future for their region. Our work is possible because of the generosity of our incredible volunteers, supporters, and donors. Please join us.