Preserving the views near Mt Rainier National Park

I would like to thank all those who sent contributions to the Nisqually Land Trust, and encourage others to please do so. This beautiful wildlife corridor leading to the Nisqually Entrance of Mt. Rainier National Park is important to all of us, and your contribution counts.

First and foremost: Joe Kane of the Nisqually Land Trust, Steve Pruitt and David Troutt of the Nisqually River Council, and Justin Hall of the Nisqually River Foundation. While this community was bemoaning the loss of the fabulous forests on Mt. Tahoma Canyon Road, this team stepped up and found a solution that works for everyone. How can we ever thank you?

I would like to acknowledge and thank the Nisqually Headwaters Coalition Co-Chairs: Phil Freeman, Judy Scavone, Janet Liddle, Mary Foster, Catharine Gallagher and Erika Joeres, whose vision and commitment resulted in the Mt. Rainier Gateway Initiative, a long-range plan to acquire at full market value and protect roughly 4500 acres of privately-held timber land.

We are fortunate to have the cooperation and assistance of teams from the DNR, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Pierce County Parks, Pierce County PALS, and Mt. Rainier National Park.

Kim Freeman of Pierce County PALS has been a huge resource for us, as well as the PALS cartography lab staff. Bryan Bowden, our liaison from Mt. Rainier National Park, has always been there with welcome advice, and NPS biologist Jim Schaberl greatly assisted in our quest for wildlife information and documentation. Our DNR liaison Dennis Carlson has been a great partner, and a great resource. I would like to extend a huge thank you to Omroa Bhagwandin, DNR Cooperative Programs Administrator. Mr. Bhagwandin’s support and enthusiasm for our project has been invaluable.

Mike Jeffries of the Eatonville Dispatch, our hometown paper, has been there since the beginning, generously donating ad space, and processing mountains of information.