WINTHROP, Washington—In the scenic Methow Valley, Western
Rivers Conservancy has taken a critical step forward in the effort to permanently
protect an outstanding 1.6-mile stretch of the Chewuch River, the primary tributary
to the Methow River.
Last week, the
organization sold the historic 328-acre Wagner Ranch to the Methow Conservancy,
helping to ensure the property’s open space and river frontage will be
protected, and setting the stage for long-term salmon and steelhead restoration.
When the property was put up for sale in 2018, Western Rivers Conservancy was
able to act quickly to purchase it, with the goal of conserving a premier
stretch of the Chewuch River.
“We are grateful
that the Methow Conservancy stepped up to conserve Wagner Ranch,” said Nelson
Mathews, Western Rivers Conservancy’s vice president. “We set out to protect property
three years ago for the sake of the Methow’s fish and wildlife and to guarantee
that this rare, beautiful swath of open space—and the benefits it provides to
the entire valley—remain for generations to come. The Methow Conservancy is
working to bring this vision to life.”
The Methow
Conservancy is continuing its efforts to raise the funds needed to protect the ranch
permanently.
The Chewuch River
is a major source of cold water for the Methow and provides crucial habitat for
imperiled Chinook salmon, steelhead and bull trout. The Wagner Ranch spans an
important stretch of the Chewuch, where more than a dozen different salmon
habitat restoration opportunities have been identified. It also abuts the 14,800-acre Methow
Unit of Washington’s Methow Wildlife Area, providing important
habitat-connectivity for wildlife.
Conservation
of the property will also help preserve the unique natural and historic
character of the valley, which draws tens of thousands of tourists every year
who come to hike, bike, cross-country ski, hunt, fish, climb and paddle. These
visitors are important drivers of local economies throughout the year.
The ranch is
one of the largest contiguous tracts of privately owned riverfront left in the
Methow Valley, and it is woven into the cultural fabric of the area. It was
formerly owned by the family who developed the Old West town of Winthrop, six
miles to the south, and later by the family who created the famed Sun Mountain
Lodge.
“When the
Wagner Ranch was put up for sale, we knew we had to do whatever we could to
protect it, and that meant buying it and then finding a long-term solution.
This is a great step in that direction,” said Mathews.
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ABOUT THE PROJECT PARTNERS
Western Rivers Conservancy acquires lands along rivers throughout the West to conserve critical habitat and to create or improve public access for compatible use and enjoyment. By cooperating with local agencies and organizations and by applying decades of land acquisition experience, Western Rivers Conservancy secures the health of whole ecosystems. Western Rivers Conservancy has protected hundreds of miles of stream frontage on great western rivers, including the Rio Grande, Yampa, John Day, Gunnison, Salmon, Snake, North Umpqua, Klamath and Madison Rivers. To learn more, visit www.westernrivers.org
