Friends of the ACFL and the 2026 Forest Plan
The Anacortes Community Forest Lands (ACFL) are more than just trails and trees; they’re a living classroom, a shared sanctuary, and a model of community stewardship. The ACFL Forest Plan, developed by the City of Anacortes Parks and Recreation Department (APRD), details strategies and actions to protect and improve the area's distinctive ecosystems and habitats. It balances conservation efforts with recreational access for residents and visitors alike.
Every five years, the Forest Advisory Board (FAB) and the City undertake the essential but complex task of updating the Forest Plan, the blueprint that keeps this nearly 3,000-acre gem healthy and accessible for generations to come. As Friends of the ACFL, we’re proud to play a supporting role in this process: helping translate community values into management priorities while ensuring that both science and citizen voices guide the path forward.
In the spring of 2023, APRD committed to a 2026 plan update. This timeline allows adequate time for public review and comment, as well as FAB and City Council review, input and approval. At its November 2025 meeting, and after multiple rounds of public comment, FAB recommended that the City Council approve the current draft of the 2026 Forest Plan.
Friends of the ACFL's Role
The ACFL is owned and managed by the City of Anacortes. Friends of the ACFL does not take part in daily operations or rule enforcement. Instead, we partner closely with the APRD to support the ACFL through Community and Youth Programs, Trail Ambassadors, volunteer work parties, citizen science projects, and the Forest Discovery Center.
Through these initiatives, we help educate visitors about the forest, provide maps and wayfinding resources, and share information about using the forestlands responsibly. Volunteers assist with trail maintenance and improvements, habitat restoration, and contribute to citizen science projects, which generate data that we share with the City.
Friends’ representatives attend the City’s FAB meetings each month to share program updates and relay feedback from our members. While we do not make ACFL policy, we provide input and community perspectives to inform management decisions where appropriate.
Participation Opportunities
Friends of the ACFL reviewed the draft Plan, provided input on conservation laws and protections at the local, state, and federal levels, and participated in the FAB meetings that presented public comment, provided opportunities for input, and reviewed and approved the Plan. The 2026 ACFL Forest Plan is scheduled for City Council review and potential approval at an upcoming City Council meeting. Friends’ supports the Plan and will attend the City Council meeting to voice our endorsement. We encourage members to submit public comments or attend the meeting to share their perspectives as well.
The Forest Plan update is more than a policy document—it’s a collective expression of how we care for the land that defines our community. You can help keep this work thriving by joining a volunteer work party, becoming a Trail Ambassador, or making a donation to support environmental education, stewardship, and outreach programs. Together, we ensure that the ACFL remains protected, vibrant, and welcoming for all who wander its trails today and in the years to come.
To read the Forest Plan or find more information on attending a Forest Advisory Board meeting visit the following: www.anacorteswa.gov/517/Community-Forest-Lands-ACFL
FAB meetings are held the first Thursday of the month, are open to the public, and we encourage members to attend them.