Community Forest Acquisitions

The 288-acre Mill Pond-Outlet Creek tract, purchased by MARS via two acquisitions in 2011 and 2019, lies approximately 3 miles east of Glenwood on the south side of the Goldendale-Glenwood Highway. The property includes its namesake pond, in addition to wetland areas west and north of the pond as well as upland forest to the south. As the name suggests, the property was once the site of a bustling sawmill operation owned by Portland’s Collins Family and known as the Mt. Adams Lumber Company. Under MARS's ownership, the area has been the subject of restoration efforts and commercial thinning. Community volunteers and the MARS Stewardship Crew also constructed a trail along the south side of the pond. The property is open to hiking, hunting, camping, and non-motorized boating. At all times, please be respectful of and help us to care for these properties we have the good fortune to steward. And be aware of property boundaries, as surrounding ownerships may have closures in place during wildfire season.

2011 - Mill Pond

The 300 acre Pine Flats tract is located 4 miles west of Glenwood along the Trout Lake-Glenwood Highway, adjacent to the western edge of the Conboy Lake National Wildlife Refuge. Once part of the Klickitat Tree Farm, Pine Flats has changed hands multiple times over the years, and prior to MARS acquisition had last been partially logged in the mid-1980s. Most of the Pine Flats tract consists of open ponderosa pine forest with a bitterbrush and balsamroot understory. Under MARS ownership, Pine Flats forests have been managed with commercial thinning and prescribed burning to promote the health of this fire-adapted ecosystem and reduce the risk of high intensity wildfire approaching the community of Glenwood. Primary access is from the Conboy Lake NWR entrance road off of the Trout Lake-Glenwood Highway. Parking is available off of either side of the road and visitors are welcome to walk off-trail to experience the property. Hunting is allowed on the property during approved seasons. It is the responsibility of visitors to know their location and respect the property rights of neighbors and laws governing management of adjacent state and federal lands.

The Klickitat Rim Tract is a 424-acre addition to the Mt. Adams Community Forest approximately 8 miles east of Glenwood.  The property, purchased in 2019, includes a diversity of habitats, from pine-oak woodlands located on flats adjacent to the highway, to dry mixed conifer stands and young plantations in the upper reaches. The tract serves the Mt. Adams Community Forest multiple use goals well, as a location for sustainable harvest of timber shaped by longer rotations to develop high quality logs, and valuable wildlife habitat for western grey squirrels, blacktail deer, black bear and many other species.

In September of 2023, MARS completed its largest community forest purchase yet: the 800-acre South Conboy Tract that lies adjacent to Conboy Lake National Wildlife Refuge on the BZ-Glenwood Highway. The property is divided between two blocks and is dominated by north facing slopes that were harvested and replanted by the previous landowner. The tract represents some of the most productive tree growing ground within the Mt. Adams Community Forest ownership, while also presenting recreational opportunities, such as hiking and hunting when in-season. MARS is now working with the local community to develop a detailed management plan for the property.

Thoughts about where MARS might expand the Mt. Adams Community Forest? Special places you want to see managed for community values? We want to hear from you.