Recently, several PCEI members living in Pullman have contacted our office
asking for help. There is a 13 acre parcel of land adjacent to Pullman's
northern city limits that is viewed by the Pullman Environmental Quality
Commission as special. It is currently up for sale, and would likely be
developed.
The vegetation on the parcel represents the black hawthorn/snowberry
community which is designated as a Priority 1 element in the Washington
Natural Heritage Plan, Washington Department of Natural Resourses. Quoting
from this plan..."Priority 1 elements are assigned the highest rank because
they are in the greatest jeopardy of being destroyed or degraded. These
elements typically have limited distribution in Washington and very few
occurances in natural condition are known. Priority 1 elements usually have
little or no representation in existing natural areas." As well as being a
high value area for wildlife this area contains a large number of native
wildflowers including possibly the only existing population of mountain
lady-slipper orchid in Whitman county.
The 13 acre parcel recently advertised in the Daily News as "The Magic
Forest" (aka Magpie Forest) lies adjacent to the northern city limits of
Pullman. Look north east from the upper reaches of Military Hill (such as:
Kenny or Deane streets) and you will see two hilltops, one covered with
trees the other with bulldozers. The treed area is the Magic Forest,
asking price $150,000. While this area is currently innaccesible by road,
the proposed north bypass will intersect the corner of the property. With
the current construction in this area and the new highway the value of the
property as a natural area park will greatly increase.
The Palouse-Clearwater Environmental Institute (PCEI) has agreed to head-up
a fundraising campaign through a grassroots volunteer effort, and is
seeking help with this campaign from our Pullman members. Help is needed
in both pledges of money or fundraising assistance.
The Palouse land trust, through the work of John Norton, has acquired what
amounts to a first right to purchase this unique piece of property for a
brief period which ends September 5th. To date, $5,200 has been pledged to
purchase the property. Organizers feel we need to raise at least $15,000 by
that date to hold the property off the market long enough to raise the
remaining funds.
If this parcel can be purchased with private or grant funds, it could be
annexed into the city of Pullman, to whom it shall be deeded under
covenants for the enjoyment and education of our citizens in perpetuity.
If you are interested in helping with this project at any level, please
contact PCEI immediately. Pledges or checks may be mailed to the "The
Forest Fund" PO Box 431 Pullman, Washington 99163.
Tom
Thomas C. Lamar, Executive Director
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Palouse-Clearwater Environmental Institute
P O Box 8596; 112 West 4th St; Suite #1
Moscow ID 83843-1096
Phone (208)882-1444; Fax (208)882-8029
url: http://www.moscow.com/pcei
Please Note our individual staff email addresses below:
Thomas C. Lamar, Executive Director: lamar@pcei.org
Kathleen Lester, Office Manager: lester@pcei.org
Adam R. Thornbrough, Watersheds: thornbrough@pcei.org
Colette DePhelps, Community Food Systems: dephelps@pcei.org
Kathy Roos, Transportation Education: kroos@cyberhighway.net
Jennifer Bell, Environmental Education: bell1719@uidaho.edu
Amy Hill, Bookkeeper: hill9443@uidaho.edu
Celebrating eleven years of connecting people, place and community.
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