(Text by John Theilacker, VtF co-chair)
The 950 acres serving as a scenic forest backdrop to Yachats, which we call Yachats Ridge continues to be the number one focus of our land protection efforts. 
We learned this month that there is good support among the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department staff for the possible acquisition of this property for a future state park. OPRD staff favorably highlighted the property at a recent Executive Session of the Oregon Parks Commission, although the property will be more formally discussed by the Commission at their November 14-15 meeting which will be held in Newport. VtF Board co-chairs Joanne Kittel and John Theilacker will have an opportunity at this public meeting to showcase the natural, cultural, and recreational resources available at Yachats Ridge to the Commission. At this meeting, we hope that the Commission supports the possible acquisition of Yachats Ridge, and authorizes its staff to proceed with due diligence steps and serious discussions with Manulife, the owner of this 950-acre property.
We learned this month that there is good support among the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department staff for the possible acquisition of this property for a future state park. OPRD staff favorably highlighted the property at a recent Executive Session of the Oregon Parks Commission, although the property will be more formally discussed by the Commission at their November 14-15 meeting which will be held in Newport. VtF Board co-chairs Joanne Kittel and John Theilacker will have an opportunity at this public meeting to showcase the natural, cultural, and recreational resources available at Yachats Ridge to the Commission. At this meeting, we hope that the Commission supports the possible acquisition of Yachats Ridge, and authorizes its staff to proceed with due diligence steps and serious discussions with Manulife, the owner of this 950-acre property.Our Board’s Public Relations and Fund-raising Committee met for the first time this month with a very competent and passionate group representing a variety of expertise. This Committee includes a number of regional specialists in addition to our Board members who will focus on fund-raising for VtF to prepare and implement a property restoration and management plan for the Ridge. This assumes that the land is acquired either by OPRD, a federal agency, or a conservation organization in the near future.
VtF continues to receive generous donations and gifts from the Yachats community and others that will help fray the costs of management plan development and implementation over time.Stay tuned for continual updates from VtF on the acquisition status of Yachats Ridge by visiting our website, Facebook page, or by asking any of our Board members.
