When you spend time here, it’s easy to feel connected to the landscape. The river corridor, the forest, the open spaces, the wildlife, the quiet moments out on the trail, it’s all part of what makes Suncadia feel so special. But that kind of beauty does not stay this way by chance. It takes care, partnership, and a long-term commitment to protecting what makes this area so remarkable.
That is why this Earth Day, we are shining a light on Kittitas Conservation Trust and the incredible work they do.
Kittitas Conservation Trust, or KCT, is a nonprofit land trust dedicated to protecting and enhancing critical fish and wildlife habitat in the upper Yakima River basin. Their work is rooted in the idea that conservation and community go hand in hand, and that protecting land, water, and habitat benefits not only wildlife, but people too.
KCT’s connection to Suncadia goes back decades. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, as this community began to take shape, leaders from the Yakama Nation, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, and Suncadia worked together to create a path forward that allowed for thoughtful growth while protecting important habitat. That collaboration led to the creation of Kittitas Conservation Trust, which today helps steward conserved land in and around Suncadia, including the Cle Elum River corridor and surrounding natural open space.
“Along with our more than 6,000 acres of forested land comes a responsibility to preserve, manage, and protect it. We consistently manage forest health, wildlife habitat, and fire resiliency,” said Suncadia Chief Development Officer Tucker Stevens. “We support and serve on the board of the KCT as part of upholding our commitment to land conservation and promoting the health of our environment.”
KCT helps protect fish and wildlife habitats, preserve open space and scenic views, support instream flows in the upper Yakima River and its tributaries, and manage land with long-term stewardship in mind. In other words, they are helping care for the natural systems that support this valley now and into the future.
And their work extends well beyond Suncadia.
One example is a recent habitat restoration effort on the Kachess River, where KCT worked to improve conditions for bull trout. After years of riverbank instability and seasonal dewatering, the project focused on creating deeper, cooler habitat where fish could survive and grow. In just the early months of the project, more than 60 large wood structures and nearly 14,000 plants were added across more than a mile of river and floodplain. Soon after, biologists recorded the highest number of bull trout redds, or nests, seen there since surveys began in 2000. It is a powerful example of what thoughtful restoration can do.
At Suncadia, we are proud to partner with organizations like KCT that help protect the places we all care about. Their work reflects something we believe deeply: that being connected to nature also comes with a responsibility to care for it.
So, in honor of Earth Day, we are celebrating Kittitas Conservation Trust — for their stewardship, their vision, and the lasting impact of the work they do every day. Because places like this do not just stay beautiful on their own. They are protected by people who believe they are worth caring for.
If you’d like to support Kittitas Conservation Trust this Earth Day, consider making a donation to help further their conservation, restoration, and stewardship work across the upper Yakima River basin. Every contribution helps protect the landscapes, wildlife habitat, and river systems that make this region so special.
“Keep close to Nature’s heart and break clear away, once in a while, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean.”
— John Muir
