
Funded Projects
The 1% for Public Lands Program collected $35,899.91 in 2024! We received $27,000 of grant requests during our Sept-Oct 2024 submission period, and were able to fully fund them all! The remaining funds will carry over to next year. This year we supported:
Kittitas Winter Trails Collaborative
Central Cascades Recreation Association
$2,000
The Central Cascades Recreation Association aims to provide access to winter recreation in the Central Cascades. CCRA volunteers conduct ongoing year-round maintenance to established Washington State SnoParks and adjacent trail systems throughout Kittitas County. By removing downed trees, litter, and trash, they reduce fire risk and improve wildlife habitat along with keeping trails open and intact.
Rebuilding the Ellensburg Blue Trailn
Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance
$5,000
The Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance is Washington's largest mountain bike organization, and the Kittitas Chapter aims to improve riding in Kittitas County through sustainable trail construction. "Ellensburg Blue" is a 1.7mi intermediate mountain bike loop trail, located in the Naneum Ridge State Forest. This grant will pay for an excavator to improve trail tread, install proper drainage, and adjust trail alignment for sustainability and user experience.
The Greenway Trust leads and inspires action to conserve and enhance land and water within the Mountains to Sound Greenway National Heritage Area (NHA), ensuring a long-term balance between people and nature. This project will begin restoration activities on the Thorp Mountain Lookout, a historic 1930s structure located on the Cle Elum Ranger District. This grant will match $36,000 already raised by the Greenway to hire a historic preservation specialist.
Coal Mines Trail Interpretive Signage
Ronald Roslyn Cle Elum Heritage Club
$5,000

The RRCHC honors the many diverse cultures that make up Upper Kittitas County, and to keep that rich heritage alive. The club sought out match funding for a $87,200 effort to design, write, produce, and install 21 new interpretive signs along the Coal Mines Trail, which links the three towns and tells the story of the area's human habitation, migration, industry and rich natural resources.
Mobile Explorer Partner Teachers
Washington Outdoor School
$5,000
The Washington Outdoor School cultivates a child's sense of wonder and fosters a sense of stewardship through immersion in the natural world. In addition to their own programs, the WOS partners with classroom teachers to take learning outside for meaningful, guided and student-led experiences in the natural world during the regular school day. This grant will help fund staff time for a second year, allowing the Mobile Explorer Partner Program to continue operating within three K-12 schools across Kittitas County.

Building out the West Fork Trail System
Washington Trails Association
$5,000
Washington Trails Association mobilizes hikers and everyone who loves the outdoors to explore, protect and champion trails and public lands. They are partnering with other recreation nonprofits (many listed above!) to work towards a phased build-out of the West Fork Teanaway Trails Plan. This grant is part of $27,000 needed to construct approximately 5mi of trails in 2025 via a combination of professional and volunteer workparties.
Curious about past grant recipients? Check out previous years' supported projects here!
Click here to make a gift to the Kittitas Stewardship Fund, and help us support more great local efforts!
