Brighton Creek Twilight Tour: Forest Restoration in Action

DATE: Thursday, June 26, 2025

TIME: 4pm to 7pm

LOCATION: Yelm , WA

Come learn in the forest this spring!

Join Northwest Natural Resource Group and the Nisqually Land Trust for an evening tour of the Brighton Creek Preserve, a 224-acre forest near Yelm, WA managed for ecological health and wildlife habitat.

The preserve was donated to the Nisqually Land Trust in 2021 by the North Cascades Buddhist Priory. When the Priory first acquired the property, it consisted of dense, monoculture Douglas-fir stands—the result of decades of industrial timber production. They began efforts to restore the forest’s health and diversity, and the Nisqually Land Trust is now continuing that work.

During this tour, we’ll dive into a variety of ecological forestry practices, including:

• Enhancing wildlife habitat, particularly for Pileated woodpecker
• Practices that protect and enhance vital wetland ecosystems
• How forest management can increase resilience to drought, disease, and other climate-related stressors
• Ecologically-based commercial thinning methods, including tree spacing and species selection, and how these practices promote resilient forests
• Practices for restoring old-growth forest structures

Participants are encouraged to bring water and snacks for the evening, and a portable stool if you would like to sit down. Please wear sturdy footwear and dress for variable spring weather.

Accessibility Information

The tour will take place entirely outdoors on uneven forest terrain, including old logging roads, small trails, and areas with exposed roots and soft ground. Participants can expect to walk approximately 1–2 miles at a leisurely pace over the course of the event.

The site is mostly flat to gently rolling, but some sections may be muddy, especially if it has rained recently. Walking sticks or trekking poles are recommended for those who would find them helpful.

Speakers

Kirk Hanson | Director of Forestry | Northwest Natural Resource Group

Jaal Mann | Director of Forest Operations | Northwest Natural Resource Group

Jake Pool | Stewardship Manager | Nisqually Land Trust

Have any questions?

Please email us at outreach@nnrg.org, or give us a call at 206-971-3709

Free Site Visits

Interested participants can sign up for a limited number of free two-hour site visits on their own land with a forester from the Northwest Natural Resource Group. During the site visit, NNRG’s forester will help landowners refine plans for managing their forest and answer site-specific questions. To register for a free site visit, please email outreach@nnrg.org.

Workshop presented by

Northwest Natural Resource Group

Northwest Natural Resource Group is a nonprofit organization that strengthens the ecological and economic vitality of Northwest forests and communities by connecting people with the knowledge, skills, and markets they need to steward their land. We advance the state of knowledge about ecological forestry, spread the word about its benefits and feasibility, and help landowners put it into practice on their own forests.

Nisqually Land Trust

The Nisqually Land Trust is an independent, private, nongovernmental organization incorporated in 1989 and federally recognized as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation in 1990. Our mission is to protect and steward lands to permanently benefit the water, fish, wildlife, and people of the Nisqually River Watershed.

Funding and Support

This material is based upon work supported by USDA/NIFA under Award Number 2023-70027-40445.