Serving as the buffer between the Greater Seattle metropolitan area and the Cascades' alpine wilderness, the Snoqualmie Forest contains two major river forks, numerous lakes, diverse wildlife populations, and mountains nearing 5,000 feet. Hancock Timber Resource Group joined with King County, supported by Cascade Land Conservancy, to place the development rights to 90,000 acres in public ownership. The agreement, one of the nation's largest land conservation actions so close to a major metropolitan area, forever preserves this working forest from the increasing pressures of development.