Columbia Land Trust has acquired 15 miles of Klickitat River frontage from Hancock Timber Resource Group, conserving it in perpetuity. The property, which includes an old forest haul road, contains critical spawning, migration, and rearing habitat for federally threatened steelhead, Chinook salmon, and Coho salmon. The section of river includes five parcels containing 480 acres in all. The purchase ensures that this habitat will continue to support not only fish but also migratory birds and one of the largest breeding populations of threatened Lewis' woodpecker in Washington state. The 480 acres, in the heart of the 14,000-acre Washington State Klickitat Wildlife Area, are surrounded primarily by wild lands. Columbia Land Trust's stewardship of the property and road will restore fish access to backwater channels and ensure long-term protection of some of the highest riparian habitat diversity within the watershed. The area, known for natural beauty, fishing and recreation opportunities, will continue to be open to recreational users.