Our Story
Since 2018 a small local group began to meet about the idea of increasing recreational opportunities in close proximity to Chewelah. Despite Chewelah’s natural beauty, there are few single track trails within a short distance from Chewelah. The group decided that in order to be be successful in obtaining funding to accomplish these lofty goals they needed to become a non-profit and start to protect open spaces for future generations.
CVLT is made up of 9 board members:
President-Alex Case-Cohen
Vice President- Barney Brockwell
Secretary- Ben Turnock
Treasurer- Aimee Gence
Board Member/Legal- Mike Waters
Board Member- Jake Wilson
Board Member- Charlotte Axthelm
Board Member- Maryellen Reyna
Board Member- Sam Dollar
Making Progress
In late 2018 the Chewelah Valley Land Trust obtained it’s 501c3 non-profit status. It’s board of directors is made up of 9 members. In 2019 the Land Trust was awarded two acquisition grants through the USDA and the Recreation Conservation Office to set aside a 408 acre open space directly north of the Chewelah Golf Course. This acquisition took place in May of 2021 and is now the Chewelah Community Forest. This land is open to the public currently for human powered recreation.
One touch of nature makes the whole world kin
The Chewelah Community Forest
The Chewelah Community Forest is an area for members of the community access for human powered recreation. The property is comprised of four individual parcels under tax parcel numbers 263300, 2630900, 2637950, and 0294396 encompassing 408 total acres.
The Community Forest property provides recreation opportunities for the local community including hiking, mountain biking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and wildlife viewing. As Chewelah continues to grow, this property would ensure that residents have easy access to open spaces for recreation and education.
The Chewelah Valley Land Trust has developed and is currently implementing it 10 year master trail plan. It's building a variety of sing track trails with both volunteer trail crews and machinery.