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OUR PROGRAMS
Washington CoastSavers
If you have ever walked along the Washington coast, you probably noticed all kinds of things washed up on the beach: plastic water bottles, fishing nets, old tires, and maybe even a rusted-out crab pot or two. Besides spoiling the beauty of our coastline, such ocean trash is also a serious hazard to our coastal ecosystems. Birds, fish, and plantlife are all harmed by these items and the toxins they carry.
So we got together with several other nonprofits and agencies and organized the Washington CoastSavers program. The year-round program focuses on organized beach cleanups, but also includes educational outreach and other efforts to help make sure the astounding beauty and ecological diversity of Washington's coast is kept free and clear of plastic and other man-made trash. In April 2009 alone, over 1200 volunteers removed over 30 tons of debris from Washington's Pacific Coast!
Mountain-to-Meadow: Half Marathon and 5K Fun Run
This annual run starts at the Lolo Pass Visitor Center in Clearwater National Forest on the Idaho-Montana border. The course winds for 14 miles through forests of Engleman Spruce and White Pine and has dramatic views of the Bitterroot Mountains in the distance. Both the 5K run and the 14-mile loop pass Packer Meadows, a historically significant site along the Nez Perce and Lewis and Clark trails. Proceeds of this event are used to help visitors discover and appreciate the rich history and striking beauty of the area around Lolo Pass Visitor Center. See www.runlolopass.org to signup for the next event!
Visitor Experience
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Bonneville Lock and Dam |
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Cedar River Education Center
We funded a part-time front desk store manager
at the Cedar River Watershed Education Center. Visitors to the
education center ask about hiking, water supply, wildlife, and
the history of the area, as well as signing up for classes and
facility rentals. Approximately 10,000 visitors stopped at the
front desk in 2005. Having additional front desk staffing enabled
the education center to extend its summer hours (open 6 days a
week) and to offer additional classes and tours.
Deschutes National Forest
We provided $10,000 of critical funding in support of
conservation education programs at Newberry National Volcanic Monument.
These programs reached 5,250 students in three curriculum disciplines:
physical geology, ecology, and heritage conservation. Visitors make many positive comments about these programs, indicating the difference our work makes. We also provide funding for the free visitor publication, Volcanic Vistas.
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Gifford Pinchot National Forest |
Hiram M. Chittenden Locks
We participated in the
planning and implementation of “A Taste of Lewis & Clark
in the Northwest." The event took visitors back to the
expedition period of 1803-1806 with an authentic encampment
by living history interpreters portraying members of the Lewis
and Clark expedition. We provided substantial funding for this
3-day event including paying for speakers, a reception, toilet
facilities, and other support.
John Day Fossil Beds National Monument |
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Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park |
Lolo National Forest
We provided funds for a
taxidermist to clean and whiten a black bear skull, which was installed
at Seeley Lake Ranger District. The black bear skull make for a great educational experience for the public, as
well as a terrific addition to the full-body black bear mount previously
purchased and installed at the same location.
Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
We funded the printing of the Heather Meadows Native
Plant Brochure. This colorful brochure on native subalpine
plants in the Heather Meadows area of the Mount Baker Ranger District
supports educational efforts and interpretation aimed at subalpine
restoration efforts in the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
area. This brochure is targeted towards local residents visiting
the area, as well as national and
international travelers. We also provide occasional support for free publications, such as the Winter Activity Guide.
Mount Rainier National Park
Our funding in the amount of $1300 supported three
teachers who developed curriculum for the education program at
Mount Rainier. The teachers attended a pilot Mountain Geography
and Cultures teachers workshop hosted jointly by the National Park
Service and The Mountain Institute. The teachers then served as
advisors to adapt curriculum to Mount Rainier for use in area schools.
The project helps maintain effective relationships with the education
community and will ultimately allow students to learn about ecosystems
and human history in the Pacific Northwest. We also provide support every year for the park's free visitor publication, The Tahoma News.
Nez Perce National Historical Park
We supported Wolves: Legend, Myth, and Fact, a wolf
education program series that featured several guest speakers
from the Nez Perce Tribe, the Wolf Education and Research Center,
and the Wolf Recovery Foundation. The program was free and
open to the public. We aslo help interpretive staff publish a wide variety of free publications for visitors, including the Partners and Friends Newsletter, The Mylie Lawyer Collection, White Bird Walking Tour, Spalding Brochure, and more.
Olympic National Park |
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Shasta-Trinity National Forest
We financed the replacement of plexiglass on the after
hours visitor information kiosk for the Mount Shasta Ranger Station.
The new windows consisted of tempered glass and were waterproofed
as well as sealed. This prevented shorting of the lighting system
by the sprinklers, as well as displays from becoming damaged
and unreadable.
Siskiyou National Forest
We supported the design and printing of The Dynamic
Oregon Coast, a brochure that highlights geologic features
on the Oregon Coast. The brochure is a free publication with information
on the Oregon coastline, the formation of sea stacks, arches, and
wave-cut platforms. 5000 brochures were printed for distribution
to the public.
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Siuslaw National Forest |
| Whitman Mission National Historic Site |
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