Several groups have started a campaign to raise money for Moscow Mountain’s first legally-protected public access trail easement.

A group of nonprofit organizations from the Palouse area plan to raise $40,000 for the trail easement for land near Idler’s Rest Nature Preserve, according to a press release from Palouse Land Trust.

Palouse Land Trust is leading this initiative with support from Moscow Area Mountain Bike Association and Palouse Road Runners. 

“We hope this is just the first big step toward protecting a contiguous wildlife, working forest and recreation corridor on Moscow Mountain in perpetuity,” said Lovina Englund, Palouse Land Trust executive director, in the press release.

The project will be called Moscow Mountain Forever, and the trail will be open to non-motorized use, including hiking, trail running and mountain biking, according to the press release. The targeted construction time for the trail will be summer or fall 2022 if the fundraising is successful as well as the completion of the easement process.

More information is available on the Moscow Mountain Forever website.