Size: 4 acres
Location: Klickitat County, WA
Acquired: 2020

The acquisition of Friends’ 4-acre Catherine Creek Preserve was a top priority, driven by its potential to enhance scenic, natural, and recreational resources—particularly with a focus on accessibility.

Before its purchase, the Catherine Creek Preserve underwent many transformations. From 1951 to 1977, the Washington State Department of Transportation operated a rock quarry on the site, though operations had largely ceased by 1968. For years, the land lay dormant until the mid-1980s when it was developed for residential use, with six outbuildings and a mobile home constructed between 1984 and 1987. Most recently, the property housed horses, and in 2006, a single-family residence was built in violation of scenic area regulations.

Due to its varied history, much of the preserve is in a degraded state, with invasive weedy grasses and non-native forbs dominating the landscape. Scattered trees, in varying states of health, dot the property, alongside sparse patches of native vegetation. Restoration efforts are already underway, with Friends spearheading several projects to revitalize the habitat and improve the area’s natural resources.