A view of the Sek-wet-se Forest in Oregon. Photo from Ecotrust
The Coquille Tribe has acquired 3,200 acres of ancestral territory in Oregon. The tribe spent six months in negotiations with Ecotrust Forest Management. The deal for the property -- to be known as the Sek-wet-se Forest -- was completed last week. “The re-acquisition of the Sek-wet-se Forest significantly advances cultural restoration of the Coquille Indian Tribe," Chairperson Brenda Meade said in a press release. "This forest will provide a place for the Tribe to transfer cultural knowledge between generations and expand its sustainable land management practices. We are so grateful for our partnership with Ecotrust Forest Management and are committed to making this project a success for the Tribe and for Curry County.” Ecotrust Forest Management acquired the property in 2006 and has been working to restore riparian habitat, improve species diversity, and lower the presence of invasive plants. The goal was to sell to the tribe. “We are thrilled to assist the Coquille Tribe in reestablishing its territory and cultural traditions. Sek-wet-se is a truly unique property and will significantly benefit from the tribe’s ecological forestry practices and commitment to riparian restoration," EFM co-founder and CEO Bettina von Hagen said in the press release. "This is a great affirmation of EFM’s strategy to acquire and restore significant forestland and sell it to perpetual conservation-oriented owners—we look forward to many more transactions with tribes, land trusts, municipalities, conservation buyers and federal and state agencies.” The Sek-wet-se Forest sits adjacent to the Grassy Knob Wilderness and other forestland. Get the Story:
Coquille tribe regains cultural lands in Curry County (The Coos Bay World 5/27)
Ecotrust forest deal returns an Oregon tribe to its ancestral lands (The Portland Business Journal 5/22)
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