Tapash Sustainable Forest Collective

The Tapash Sustainable Forest Collaborative is a group of decision-makers from the Yakama Nation, The Nature Conservancy, Okanogan Wenatchee Forest Service, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, and Washington State Department of Natural Resources. The Collaborative focuses on a geographic landscape of 2.3 million acres from Blewett Pass to Mount Adams in eastern Washington. Since its designation in 2007, it has worked to improve the ecosystem health and natural functions of the landscape through active restoration projects backed by best available science, community engagement, and adaptive management. 

WRCD served as the fiscal sponsor for the Collaborative from 2019 to 2023. Throughout that time, WRCD provided several additional services including the facilitation of administrative, financial, and operational duties, development of public outreach and engagement efforts, coordination between partners and agencies, provision of resources and connections, and organization of project area working groups.

Under WRCD’s leadership, the Collaborative increased the pace and scale of aquatic and terrestrial restoration efforts across priority project areas. It has also been supportive of local grassroots working groups, increased public engagement in local projects, and connected community stakeholder groups in the area with funds and resources.

Accomplishments

• Collaborative planning for key initiatives such as the Central Washington Initiative
• Increased pace and scale of aquatic and terrestrial restoration efforts across priority project areas 
• Innovative contract NEPA planning processes piloted for future landscape-scale cross boundary projects in south central Washington
• Funds, capacity, and resources connected across ownerships and community stakeholder groups
• Increased public/stakeholder engagement and input in local projects through field trips, open house events, social media, and other outlets 
• Support of local grassroots working groups and invested stakeholders