For a long time, Steve Fury and Nancy Lawton have owned a cabin at Lake Kachess resort, which is about 10 miles east of Snoqualmie Pass in Kittitas County. About 25 years ago they watched some clearcut logging activity by Plum Creek a mile away as the crow fliew on the far side of the lake. After it was replanted, they discovered that 270 acres were for sale. They took the WSU Extension Forestry Coached Planning class and wrote their own forest management plan. The WSU forester showed them how their stands were overstocked and needed thinning. They engaged Paul Grave, a forester and ATFS inspector, to permit and oversee thinning, which is proceeding to this day. Though there are numerous challenges to doing this, including steep slopes, a short working season due to winter snow that extends into late spring, a stream to be crossed and the extreme distance to mills, Steve and Nancy are committed to the long haul of propertly manageing their forest. They are proud to show off how you can actually see that work being done to their stands is making a difference.
They were nominated for 2026 Washington State Tree Farmer of the Year. A video that was prepared for that nomination can be viewed here.