help Rebuild the Lost Valley Bridge

Honoring Legacy • Strengthening Community • Growing the Future

In January 2024, the Pacific Northwest was hit by an ice storm that has come to be called “Icepocalypse”. This extreme weather event resulted in the loss of our bridge that crosses Anthony Creek, when a mature douglas fir tree completely uprooted and destroyed the structure. 

The bridge had quietly supported the life of Lost Valley for over forty years, connecting us to the Creek Garden, our largest and most productive garden on campus. It’s where we grow much of the food that feeds our community, and where students and interns gain hands-on skills in permaculture and regenerative agriculture. That bridge also carried water from our well across Anthony Creek, provided access to the Native Foods Nursery, which supplies native plants to our campus and regional restoration projects, and linked us to stewardship zones that serve as outdoor classrooms for our educational programs.

The destruction of the bridge has been a huge loss, and we are determined to rebuild. But as a nonprofit community land trust that provides low-income housing and accessible environmental education, we lack the funds to take this on ourselves. So, we are seeking community support to construct a new bridge.

A bridge of legacy

The new bridge will be dedicated to honoring:

  • Founders Dianne Brause and Kenneth Mahaffey, whose vision and leadership brought Lost Valley into being.

  • Generations of community members who have stewarded the land and shared its teachings.

  • The Kalapuya Peoples and surrounding nations, whose relationship with this land stretches back countless generations.

Why This Bridge Matters

A new bridge would reconnect access to Lost Valley’s Creek Garden that supports community food security, as well as the Native Foods Nursery that supplies regional stewardship projects. As a nationally recognized hub for permaculture education, land stewardship, and cooperative living, Lost Valley regularly hosts courses, educational retreats, and gatherings. This bridge would increase safe and reliable access to core facilities for educational programs and cultural events.

Funding Need & Tiered Cost Estimates

We have received bids for this project, and the estimated costs to design and construct a long-lasting bridge has an approximate range of $55,000 - $228,000, depending on several factors. All estimates include environmental assessment, engineering for safety and accessibility, durable construction materials to withstand climate stresses, and intentional design elements that honor both the land and its people. Please review the detailed cost breakdown of the three tiers below.

We are seeking support from donors who recognize the power of infrastructure as a cultural legacy. Contributions at every level help move us toward this shared goal, but larger gifts ($5,000, $10,000, $25,000+) will be transformational in bringing the bridge to life.

Fully Contracted Mid-Tier

With on site lumber

  • Engineering & stamped drawings: $12,000

  • Permits & compliance: $8,000

  • Foundations & abutments (engineered footings or small piles): $20,000

  • Superstructure materials (new glulam / heavy timbers + decking): $30,000

  • Railings / anti-slip surfacing / modest ADA accommodations: $6,000

  • Labor & installation: $25,000

  • Mobilization / equipment rental: $5,000

  • Inspections & testing: $3,000

    Subtotal: $109,000
    Contingency (15%): $16,350
    Estimated total: $125,350

Driving Bridge
high-Tier

Economy, engineered for single-lane vehicle egress (emergency vehicle access)

  • Geotech & survey: $8,000

  • Engineering & drawings: $15,000
    Permits & minor mitigation: $10,000

  • Foundations/abutments (shallow concrete footings): $60,000

  • Superstructure (glulam/steel girders + deck): $40,000

  • Approaches & grading: $15,000

  • Guardrails & surfacing: $10,000

  • Mobilization & equipment: $15,000

  • Contractor labor: $20,000

  • Inspections & approvals: $5,000

    Subtotal: ~$198,000
    Contingency (15%): ~$30,000
    Estimated total: ~$228,000

Join us in rebuilding!

Donation Tiers:

Bridge Helper - $100 - $1000: Provides bolts, galvanized connectors, and hardware to secure the structure.

Bridge Builder - $1,001 - $2,500: Helps purchase decking boards and protective sealant for the walking surface.

Bridge Sustainer - $2,501- $5,000: Supports the cost of milling and preparing timber, plus labor for installation

Bridge Partner - $5,001 - 10,000: Funds professional crew time for critical work like setting beams and foundations.

Bridge Champion - $10,001 - $20,000: Contributes to engineering, permits, and major foundation/abutment work.

Bridge Visionary - $20,001 - $50,000: Anchors the entire project by covering a large portion of the superstructure and foundation costs — ensuring the bridge is built to last.

Thank you!

Lost Valley Education Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community land trust, whose mission is to educate youth and adults in the practical application of sustainable living skills. We achieve this by offering hands-on education in ecological design, restoration forestry, equitable community governance, and regenerative farming, while we steward 87 acres of diverse ecosystems for oak savanna habitat restoration, increased biodiversity, and old growth forest characteristics.

Donations to Lost valley are tax deductible and can be made on a recurring basis.

Community-Build Low-Tier

With volunteer support and on site lumber:

  • Engineering & drawings: $5,000

  • Permits & compliance: $8,000

  • Foundations & abutments : $8,000
    Superstructure hardware & decking: $8,000

  • Railings & safety finish (simple): $3,000

  • Labor & installation (volunteers + small paid crew ): $12,000

  • Mobilization / access : $2,000

  • Inspection / sign-off: $2,000

    Subtotal: $48,000
    Contingency (15%): $7,200
    Estimated total: $55,200