Central Klickitat Conservation District is making strides in wildfire preparedness and forest health in its community.
CKCD is in an area with high fuel loads (think flammable materials like brush and downed trees) and wildfire risk. To mitigate this risk, CKCD has teamed up with local agencies to reduce fire hazards and boost community safety.
Through fuel reduction on public and private lands, home assessments, and education as part of the Wildfire Ready Neighbors program, CKCD has supported vital projects, including clearing hazardous fuels around homes. This effort has not only reduced wildfire risks but has also empowered residents to protect their properties and strengthen emergency communications.
Established in the 1890s and donated to Washington State University in 2020, Vetter Farm is jointly managed by the Stevens County Conservation District and WSU Extension. This 158-acre property serves as a working demonstration farm, supporting soil health research, agroforestry trials, and educational field days that bring local producers together to share ideas and test new approaches.
In the glacial valleys of Stevens County, the Hagen family partners with the Stevens County Conservation District to advance voluntary conservation on their registered Black Angus and Hereford operation. Through programs like VSP and Floodplains by Design, they’re improving soil health, managing manure responsibly, and maintaining productive irrigated pastures.
Jefferson County CD partnered with Spring Rain Farm to install multistory riparian buffers that protect wetlands while keeping the farm productive. It’s a working example of how restoration and agriculture can thrive together.
