It seems like Conservation Northwest always has a lot of exciting events and opportunities. Below, you’ll find details regarding how to protect wilderness, an evening with author Doug Scott, and fun hiking opportunities in the Colville National Forest. We're going to try and get out on some hikes this summer, so take advantage of this chance for an adventure. From Crystal Gartner, outreach coordinator:



1. Send a letter for wilderness protection in northeast Washington!

From the Kettle Crest to Hoodoo Canyon to Grassy Top Mountain, the future of lands proposed for wilderness for nearly four decades will very soon be determined by Colville National Forest Supervisor Rick Brazell. Your letter to him today can help shape just how many acres of wilderness in our backyard are conserved for future generations and for wildlife, from migrating birds to rare animals like gray wolf and grizzly bear.

Even if you already sent a letter last fall to the Forest Service team, please take five minutes today to personalize another letter to Supervisor Brazell at our action center. Urge him not to delay in releasing those recommendations to the public. Our wild forests deserve rapid attention.

Recommending wilderness is an important, historic step in developing a balanced forest plan that includes protecting roadless lands for quiet, human-powered recreation and for wildlife habitat and movement from one area to another. Thank you for taking action! derrick@conservationnw.org

2. Attend a get-together featuring wilderness and Columbia Highlands wild lands

An outstanding speaker and wilderness historian, Doug Scott of Campaign for America's Wilderness will include readings from his newest book, "Our Wilderness: America’s Common Ground," and show images describing the history and dynamics of wilderness protection. Following, Tim Coleman, director of the Columbia Highlands Initiative for Conservation Northwest, will give a local perspective on efforts for wilderness in our beautiful corner of northeast Washington.

Join us for one of two evenings for wilderness, on June 4th in Kettle Falls, and on June 5th in Spokane at our Volunteer & Member Appreciation Picnic. These are sure to be exciting evenings for anyone interested in conservation of wildlife, human powered recreation, and wilderness in our region. Please bring interested friends, family, and neighbors!

The evenings are free, but seating is limited. Reservations are required for the Kettle Falls event. An RSVP is appreciated for the Spokane picnic. For more details, visit us online.

Email Derrick Knowles with questions:

Call 509.747.1663 for more information.

3. Take a hike with us this summer in the Colville National Forest!

For years our wildly popular hikes, cosponsored by REI and The Spokane Mountaineers, have brought people together to discover the unique, rugged beauty of the Columbia Highlands and to learn how they can help protect these special places. See the gems of northeastern Washington first-hand!

You'll need to register online. Spots fill fast! Why not bring a friend?

We'll also be helping the Forest Service keep our trails open on June 27-28, trail clearing with hand tools on both Saturday and Sunday. Specific location for the trail work party to be determined. Interested? Contact Derrick to sign up.

Full hike schedule:

June 6 – Elk Creek Falls (4 miles, easy)

June 13 – Thirteenmile Creek Canyon (9 miles, moderate)

July 18 – Hoodoo Canyon (6 miles, moderate)

July 25 – Abercrombie to Hooknose (9 miles, very challenging)

Aug 1 – Hall Mountain (14 miles, very challenging)

Aug 8 – Columbia Mountain Lookout (8 miles, moderate)

Aug 15 – Wapaloosie Mountain (6 miles, challenging

 

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