Click here for a 3-minute video of Yachats Ridge: “Forever or Never”. (video by Carl Meibergen).
The History of Yachats Ridge & VtF
From its beginning, VtF has focused on the goal of protecting what has come to be called “Yachats Ridge,” over 1000+ acres that form the backdrop of the town of Yachats.
In 2003, Boise (formerly Boise-Cascade), a major industrial timber company announced plans to harvest forest acreage located on the ridges and steep slopes south of the Yachats River that is the backdrop of the south-facing view of Yachats. A group of people got together to discuss what could be done to preserve at least the part of Boise’s acreage that was most visible from town.
View the Future was formed as a nonprofit corporation. In July 2004, VtF received a ruling from the IRS making it a tax-exempt corporation that could receive tax-deductible contributions. Eleven years of negotiations with two subsequent owners, Forest Capital Partners, and Hancock Timber, resulted in no sale since the appraisal and asking price were too far apart. Inquiries into a potential sale of Yachats Ridge were again initiated when Hancock made a large land trade with Weyerhaeuser Industries which included 200 acres of the Ridge. In 2022, Hancock sold a number of its holdings to Manulife, a Real Estate Investment Trust from Canada. Yachats Ridge was included in that sale and Manulife is the current owner.
Several attempts to acquire the property were met with uncertainty as ownership changed hands. However, with expanded board membership and additional volunteers, VtF developed a strategy to protect Yachats Ridge. These efforts forged a strong partnership with McKenzie River Trust (MRT).
VtF organized tours of the property so that people could see its value. (See Yachats Ridge VIDEO LINK) Another change in ownership opened up the possibility of purchasing the property. In 2022, VtF began meeting with the Oregon State Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) to explore their interest in purchasing the property for parkland and preservation.
VtF and OPRD have a track record of successful past projects, including the Amanda Trail Suspension Bridge. OPRD’s Land Unit has been in communication with the current owners of the Ridge properties and is conducting due diligence related to the possible purchase of Yachats Ridge. Because OPRD is a public agency, its decisions must be based on a time-consuming and completely transparent process.
During the OPRD Commission’s review, VtF will continue to fulfill its commitment to raise funds for the development of restoration plans for the Yachats Ridge acreage. Watch for updates on Yachats Ridge through our monthly newsletters and social media posts.
