WRC Makes First Conveyance of Land to Hoh River Trust

The Hoh River project has taken a critical and exciting step as Western Rivers Conservancy has conveyed 3,400 acres to the Hoh River Trust, the organization that will manage the lands in perpetuity.

The Hoh River flows pristine out of the Olympic National Park, hosting some of the finest runs of wild Pacific salmon and steelhead. WRC has been working since 2001 to purchase lands along the Hoh's thirty-mile unprotected lower stretch to create a corridor for recreation and conservation extending the length of the river ecosystem. WRC has partnered with Rayonier Timberlands to conserve all of the company's Hoh River lands - 4,500 acres. In the next phase, we hope to acquire about 2,000 acres from Grantham, Mayo, Van Otterloo and Company (GMO). We now seek federal funding for 1,200 additional acres to be conveyed to the Hoh River Trust, an organization we co-founded with the Wild Salmon Center. The Trust is now the largest private landowner on the Hoh - with critical habitat along fifteen river and stream miles valued at over $6 million.

WRC and the Wild Salmon Center are building a strong staff and Board of Directors for the Trust with local participation, ensuring that the land will be managed for ecosystem protection and compatible public access.