Anacortes Community Forest Lands facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Anacortes Community Forest Lands |
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IUCN Category IV (Habitat/Species Management Area)
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 Anacortes Community Forest Lands
Location in the United States
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| Location | Washington, USA |
| Nearest city | Anacortes |
| Area | 2,800 acres (11 km2) |
| Established | 1919 |
| Governing body | Anacortes City Council |
The Anacortes Community Forest Lands (ACFL) is a large natural area in Washington, USA. It covers many forests around and next to Little Cranberry, Heart, and Whistle Lakes. These lakes are all found on Fidalgo Island, close to the city of Anacortes. The highest point in the ACFL is Mount Erie, which is the tallest spot on Fidalgo Island at about 1,273 feet (388 meters) high. Another tall peak is Sugarloaf, standing at 1,044 feet (318 meters). Besides the main lakes, the ACFL also has smaller lakes, ponds, and wet areas called wetlands.
What is the ACFL?
The Anacortes Community Forest Lands, or ACFL, is a special place that protects nature. It's like a big outdoor classroom and playground for everyone to enjoy. The ACFL is managed by the Anacortes City Council. It's a protected area, meaning its natural beauty and wildlife are kept safe.
How the ACFL Was Saved
The ACFL started a long time ago, on August 2, 1919. The city of Anacortes bought land and equipment from a power company for $135,000. For many years, the forest was used for logging, which means cutting down trees to sell them.
However, by the late 1980s, the forest wasn't making much money from logging. At this time, a group of people who loved the forest formed an organization called "Friends of the Forest." They wanted to stop the logging. The city's Parks Department then asked the community what they thought. People said they preferred using the land for things other than logging. They especially valued the forest trails for fun activities like hiking.
Because of this, in 1990, a special fund called the Forest Endowment Fund was started. Then, on April 15, 1991, the Anacortes City Council made a big decision. They voted to stop almost all logging in the forest. The only trees that could be cut were those that had fallen or were dangerous.
In 1998, the city council created a new plan called the Conservation Easement Program (CEP). This program helps fund the ACFL and keep the forest safe forever. People can donate money to the CEP to help protect the forest. For every $1000 donated, one acre of forest is preserved. The Skagit Land Trust helps watch over these protected areas. By the middle of 2007, over $1.5 million had been donated, and about 1,500 acres (6.1 km2) of the forest were officially preserved.
Plants and Trees You'll Find
The ACFL is a mix of different natural areas. You can find beautiful lakes, squishy bogs, and wet areas. There are also small mountains and rocky cliffs. Most of the forest has been logged in the past, but there's still a special part with very old trees. This area is called an "old-growth forest."
The tallest trees in the forest belong to the Pine Family (Pinaceae). These include:
- Pseudotsuga menziesii (Douglas-fir)
- Tsuga heterophylla (Western Hemlock)
- Pinus contorta (Shore Pine)
- Abies grandis (Grand Fir)
You can also see other large trees like:
- Acer macrophyllum (Bigleaf Maple)
- Arbutus menziesii (Pacific Madrone)
- Alnus rubra (Red Alder)
Closer to the ground, you'll find important smaller plants. These include:
- Gaultheria shallon (Salal)
- Acer circinatum (Vine Maple)
