Clark County is partnering with The Cowlitz Indian Tribe to restore habitat and provide nature-based recreational opportunities at the Gordy Jolma Family Natural Area in Brush Prairie. The property was part of the former Cedars on Salmon Creek golf course. It was purchased in 2022 by the County’s Legacy Lands program. The program, funded by the Conservation Futures levy, provides funding to preserve lands highly valued for habitat, scenic corridors, and low-impact recreation. These properties enhance the native landscape treasured by locals. 

The Gordy Jolma Family Natural Area is currently open to the public for walking, bird-watching and other nature-based, low-impact activities. 

The County is partnering with the Cowlitz Indian Tribe to develop preliminary plans to return the property to a more natural state. Preliminary plans include removing existing fish passage barriers, enhancing instream fish habitat, and improving opportunities for walking, birdwatching, fishing, picnicking, and cultural and environmental education. 

The project is progressing, with two important activities occurring in April in support of the planning process. Planning to restore the property to maximize environmental benefit for Salmon Creek requires gathering extensive data about existing conditions. Geotechnical testing will occur at the property for up to two days in mid-April to get data about the site’s soil characteristics. The property will remain open during the work and trails will not be impacted, but visitors may notice an excavator digging small test pits. The pits will be refilled, and work will only occur during park hours. 

On April 24, the community is invited to view draft conceptual plans for habitat restoration and improved recreational elements at the property and provide feedback at an open house. At the event, the County and the Tribe will gather feedback on: 

• Draft plans of two different options for trail alignments
• Parking and trailhead designs
• Nature-based recreational opportunities

Community members can attend the open house in-person at the Cedars Public House, 15001 NE 181st St. in Brush Prairie. Doors will open at 6 p.m. and attendees can view project displays and meet with staff. Coffee and cookies will be provided. 

Staff will give a presentation at 6:30 with a Q&A (question-and-answer) session immediately following. 

The presentation and Q&A session will also be streamed online via Webex. Online attendees can ask questions during the Q&A via the chat feature. Registration not required; those who register on the project webpage will receive a link to join the meeting in their email inbox. A link to join the meeting will also be posted to the project webpage about 10 minutes before the start of the presentation. 

Presentation slides, visuals, and a recording of the presentation and Q&A session will be posted on the project webpage within five business days. Materials are available in Spanish, Russian and Ukrainian, and additional languages upon request. To request interpretation, translation or accommodations to participate in the open house or survey, please contact the project manager, Evelyn Ives, at evelyn.ives@clark.wa.gov or 564.397.5885.

All community members, whether able to attend the open house or not, are invited to view project information and provide feedback via an online survey, open April 24 to May 31. The survey will be posted on the project webpage.

More information is available at clark.wa.gov/public-works/gordy-jolma-family-natural-area.  

For information about road and park projects, closures, opportunities for community input, and more, residents can follow Public Works on X (formerly known as Twitter), Facebook and Instagram and view information on Nextdoor. Residents can also visit clark.wa.gov/public-works to sign up for email notifications.