WashingtonFALLWild NEWSLETTER 2015

Including: Finding Common Ground: Creating a Big Tent for Conservation Conservation Voices: Dan Rankin, Mayor of Darrington Army Plan for Combat Helicopter Training in Wild Lands Raises Concerns Profile: Art Wolfe, New Honorary Chair of Wild 1 Washington Wild

Staff Dear Friends, Jim Hook Seattle is number 1! Of the 25 major U.S. cities, Seattle ranks Executive Director first with the most designated Wilderness within a 100- mile radius – with more than double the acreage of the next Tom Uniack closest city. Over the past 36 years, Washington Wild has led Conservation Director efforts to designate nearly 3 million acres of Wilderness. We Candace Masson are continuing this legacy with the recent designation of the Development & Alpine Lakes Additions less than a year ago. Communications As we experience the bounty of wild nature around us, this newsletter celebrates the common Director ground we have with a broad base of constituents. In looking at the broad array of those who stand with us, we can imagine a “Big Tent for Conservation” under which we work together Lyndsay Gordon to achieve a common purpose. With the help of volunteers, supporters, members and Program Manager stakeholders we are able to work tirelessly to protect a wild Washington for current and future generations.

2015 has been a very successful year for Washington Wild with much to celebrate. To share a Finding Common Ground: Board of Directors couple of highlights: Roger Mellem, President • We have increased the number of grants supporting conservation programming and Creating a Big Tent for Conservation Mark Walters, Vice have improved our funding base by nearly 20%. President • We reformatted our annual fundraising event and increased gross revenues by more The Merriam Webster Dictionary defines common ground Conservation is Good Business than 20% over the previous year. Brad Meissner, Treasurer as, “something that people agree about even if they disagree • Our Brewshed® outreach initiative has resulted in a program that in two short years is about other things.” But what does it really mean and how do Economic arguments for protecting wild places are extremely Carla Villar, Secretary contributing nearly 10% of our organizational funding model. you go about finding it? important, but are often difficult to articulate and quantify. Harriet Bakken What’s the value of an intact forest providing clean water or At Washington Wild, we make finding common ground a Adam Lenhardt But it is critical that we maintain this momentum going into 2016 for there is much work left quality fish habitat? Calculating a value let alone a number top priority and consider it absolutely critical when building Jessica Lundin to do! We are now pursuing a special appeal which will help us continue to Create a Big Tent support for our mission. Sometimes it is easy to find and other Tim Overland for Conservation to protect additional wild lands and waters on the Olympic Peninsula and times it can be evasive, but often enough common ground can Laura Peters beyond. Our goal of 500 supporters to raise $25,000 will help us continue to build a sustainable sprout from unlikely places. Fritz Wollett future for Washington Wild. Thank you for all you do and for your continued strong support. Rene Yoakum Faith Leaders Caring for Creation Yours for a wild Washington, Jim When it comes to protecting Wilderness and Wild and Scenic Rivers, your local pastor may not be the first person that Cover photo of the Elwha comes to mind as a supporter. But it turns out that most faiths, River on the Olympic Creating a Big Tent for Conservation: WA Wild Special Appeal including Christianity, have a strong tradition of “creation Peninsula by care” and take quite seriously their moral obligation to protect Art Wolfe God’s creation. Last year Washington Wild made over 1,000 connections Graphic design by with local elected officials, business owners, recreation Since 2004, Washington Wild has been a leader in reaching Photo courtesy of Bret Wirta Darcey Hughes organizations and sportsmen to support the permanent out to faith leaders across the state to support the protection protection of wild lands and waters. Help us continue of wild places. In 2004, we worked to garner more than 140 “Washington Wild understands to Create a Big Tent for Conservation in 2016 by giving Bishops, pastors, rabbis and priests representing 10 different the power of a big tent philosophy Washington Wild during this special appeal. religious denominations from Bellingham to Pullman, to comprised of diverse local support for 305 N. 83rd St. write Congress in support of the . Since the protection of wild places like the Seattle, WA 98103 Special Appeal Goal: 500 supporters and $25,000 then we have reached out to nearly a thousand faith leaders Wild Olympics.” www.wawild.org Donate online at: www.wawild.org, or by mailing in the statewide about supporting our conservation efforts. -Bret Wirta, owner, Holiday Inn and enclosed remittance envelope. Keep up with our progress Conference Center in Sequim, WA on social media and become a #WildernessAdvocate! Photos above by Episcopal Diocese of Olympia (left), Andy Porter 2 Photo by Andy Porter Photography Photography (top), Chad Black (right), and Samantha Larson (bottom). 3 can be challenging. That’s why Washington Wild emphasizes Restoring our Mature Forests After storm damage in 2003 and 2006 reaching out to local business leaders and highlighting their the Suiattle Road remained closed for support for protecting wild places. For those of us who have lived through the timber wars of a decade. The closure limited access to the 80’s and 90’s, there are perhaps no stranger bedfellows hiking, camping, climbing, horse packing “Washington Wild understands the power of a big tent in the Pacific Northwest than conservationists and loggers. and other recreational opportunities. In philosophy comprised of diverse local support for the In 1994, the Northwest Forest Plan replaced unsustainable 2012, Washington Wild coordinated a protection of wild places like the Wild Olympics,” said Bret logging practices of federal forests in the Northwest and has joint sign-on letter from 10 conservation Wirta, who owns the Holiday Inn and Conference Center in kept a relative peace between environmentalists and loggers and recreation groups supporting the Sequim, WA and is one of 270 local business endorsers of the ever since. This has allowed for opportunities, particularly repair of the Suiattle Road, a major access Wild Olympics proposal. “As the owner of a leading business on wet west-side forests, to identify common ground around route to several trails and campgrounds in in Sequim, I understand that these natural resources and restoration thinning of previously cut plantation stands the North Cascades. stunning landscapes are an important community asset and to encourage more natural old-growth conditions while should be protected.” providing timber to local mills. “I was delighted to see the mix of conservation and recreation user groups In the fall of 2014, Washington Wild coordinated 45 Washington Wild has been involved in two such forest come together in support of repairing Washington-based business executives representing household collaboratives – one on the Olympic Peninsula and another the Suiattle Road,” said Jeff Chapman, names like Alaska Airlines, Tully’s, REI and the Seattle near the town of Darrington in the North Cascades. Both are former Public Lands Chair of Washington Chamber of Commerce in support of four public lands supporting forest and aquatic restoration projects as well as Backcountry Horsemen of Washington. proposals pending in Congress. The letter made the case that local economic benefits to rural communities consistent with these natural treasures provide local companies with clean the Northwest Forest Plan. Washington Wild helped tackle another water, salmon habitat and world-class outdoor recreation. access concern in 2013 by reaching out These assets are critical to the high quality of life that gives Preserving and Enhancing Recreational Access to climbers who were unclear about local companies a competitive edge over other regions in how Wilderness areas impact access for The considerable access to quality recreational opportunities is attracting and retaining talented employees. Three months climbing and guiding. Working closely an important issue to individuals and organizations, who hike, after the letter was sent, three of the four bills became law, with Access Fund, The Mountaineers climb and pack in the backcountry. An important part of why Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance Past Executive Director Glenn Glover by Glenn Glover designating 22,000 acres of Wilderness and 50 miles of Wild and Washington Climbers Coalition Washington Wild works so hard to restore and protect wild and Scenic Rivers. we sponsored a one-day workshop places is to ensure that both current and future generations can attended by nearly 30 participants from both the climbing maintenance. However, the 1964 Wilderness Act prohibits enjoy these special places first-hand. and wilderness communities. As a result of that workshop, “mechanized transport” in Wilderness areas, setting up an climbing groups chose to support the Wild Olympics proposal awkward relationship between two likely allies. and Wilderness groups helped climbers argue effectively Throughout much of the country, mountain bikers and against a climbing moratorium in North Cascades National conservationists have butted heads over proposals to protect Park. wild places as designated Wilderness because of the collateral Pedal Driven Outreach impact to mountain biking opportunities. In Washington State, a sustained effort over the last decade to build trust and find Mountain bikers are largely a conservation-minded common ground tells a different story. community, working for permanent protection of the trails they ride and volunteering thousands of hours in trail “There is an obvious tension between using Wilderness designation to ensure that lands receive the greatest protection while still making sure that mountain bikers have sufficient access to high quality, wild places so we can experience them through our low-impact recreation,” said Glenn Glover, past Executive Director for the statewide Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance. “I believe that by looking for common ground between conservation and recreation groups, an approach exemplified by Washington Wild, mountain bikers of Washington have been able to take balanced positions which benefit everyone.” By employing carefully drawn Wilderness and Wild and Scenic River boundaries to allow continued use of key mountain bike trails, the Additions and Wild Olympics proposals have received the formal endorsement of local and national mountain bike organizations. Since 1979, finding common ground has been a part of the identity of Washington Wild and we will continue to look for it in support of keeping Washington wild and green for another South Fork Skokomish Trail in the Wild Olympics 36 years. 4 Pratt River Valley by Thomas O’Keefe proposal. Photo courtesy of Gordon Campbell 5 Washington Wild’s Partners for Conservation Sams River by Javin Elliff

Jim Whittaker U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) Climber, Outdoor Industry Leader “It is not easy to pass legislation. You have to bring people in the “For 36 years, Washington Wild has worked tirelessly building diverse community together and care and feed a whole coalition of different coalitions to protect the wild places that make Washington State such organizations to create the energy needed to get legislation through a special place. In all my travels, I always look forward to returning Congress. That is what Washington Wild does uniquely and very well.” home to the snow-capped peaks, salmon streams and ancient forests Sen. Murray was elected as Washington’s first female Senator in 1992 and has worked of my youth.” with Washington Wild to introduce the Wild Sky Wilderness (designated 2008), the Alpine Lakes Wilderness and Wild and Scenic River additions (designated A Seattle native, Jim is best known for being the first American to summit Mt. 2014) and the Wild Olympics Wilderness and Wild and Scenic River Protection Act Everest and the first employee and past CEO of REI. Jim has long been a supporter (introduced 2012). of Washington Wild, submitting opinion pieces to local newspapers supporting the protection of roadless forests and the Wild Olympics proposal.

Martha Kongsgaard Martinique Grigg Leadership Council Chair, Puget Sound Partnership Past Executive Director, The Mountaineers “The work that Washington Wild does sits right at the heart of our “At the Mountaineers we have new people coming to us every year who mission to protect clean water, not just in quantity but in quality. are learning a new recreation skill and connecting with the landscape. Puget Sound as we say is all at once a place, an idea and also an ideal. When we partner with Washington Wild to also teach those people Washington Wild’s efforts to protect intact headwaters which serve as advocacy skills and educate them on the issues in the landscapes they the source of the Puget Sound is critical to safeguarding that ideal for care about we have the opportunity to create new conservationists to add generations to come.” net new people to the movement.” Martha leads efforts by the Puget Sound Partnership, a state agency focused on Puget Sound recovery by coordinating the efforts of citizens, governments, tribes, Martinique helped grow and professionalize The Mountaineers, a statewide scientists, businesses and nonprofits to set priorities and implement a regional organization dedicated to getting people outdoors for more than 100 years. During recovery plan. Both the Alpine Lakes additions and the Wild Olympics proposals her six years of leadership The Mountaineers was a partner in efforts to protect the are an important part of the Puget Sound Action Agenda. Wild Sky Wilderness, Alpine Lakes additions, and Wild Olympics campaigns.

Maud Daudon U.S. Congressman Dave Reichert (R-WA08) President & CEO, Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce “Washington State has a rich history of bipartisan support for protecting wild places. Through their inclusive and effective organizing “Washington Wild’s efforts are critical to sustaining the quality of life with stakeholders from across the political spectrum, Washington Wild that makes the Puget Sound such an incredible place to live, work and has helped to ensure that tradition is alive and well today.” play. Protecting accessible wild lands and waters is a key component to attracting top talent and corresponding economic growth.” Rep. Reichert was elected to Congress in 2004 and has worked with Washington Wild to introduce and designate the Alpine Lakes Wilderness Additions and Maud has led the Seattle Metro Chamber since 2012, supporting a positive Middle Fork Snoqualmie and Pratt Rivers Protection Act which designated 22,000 local business and economic climate. In September 2014, she joined 45 other acres of Wilderness and nearly 40 miles of Wild and Scenic Rivers near Snoqualmie Washington State CEOs supporting four public lands bills (including the Alpine Pass in 2014. Lakes additions) pending in Congress because of their benefits to the local 6 economy and quality of life. 7 Conservation Voices: Army Plan for Combat Helicopter Training in Dan Rankin Wild Lands Raises Concerns Mayor of Darrington The Okanagan Wenatchee National Forest boasts Photo courtesy of KCTS9 Aileen Imperial more than 2,000 miles of recreation trails, more than 20 developed campgrounds and scores of recreational The town of Darrington is in my soul. My grandfather She convened a group of conservation and recreation rental cabins. Many of these have earned hard fought settled in the valley in 1920. My father was raised skiing and organizations to work with Darrington, Snohomish County protections, both through policy and acquisition hiking the mountains. I was raised fishing the same creeks and the Forest Service to help market the upcoming recreation funding over the last few decades. as my grandfather. My children and I now explore the same season. Many of us met each other for the first time at that Local communities like those in the Methow Valley, mushroom patches, following generational history. Nestled in meeting and the results were surprising and much appreciated. Chelan and Leavenworth have invested and take full the North Cascades amongst peaks, timber and wildlife, our Conservation and recreation groups, including Washington advantage of this recreational wonderland to help boost lives in Darrington have depended upon the forest for our Wild, developed a “Destination Darrington” map highlighting their local economies, attract tourism and preserve livelihood. In addition to serving as the town’s mayor, I own nearby recreational opportunities, worked with REI and their unique quality of life. According to the U.S. Forest and operate a one-man saw mill. Our community has always Outdoor Research to distribute the maps to thousands Service, the Forest receives 2,130,800 visits with roughly been synonymous with logging. The timber industry, including of people and helped with social and traditional media half being overnight visitors. local loggers, Hampton Mill workers and Forest Service Staff, promotions for local businesses in town. As a result, we saw Imagine their surprise when this summer, the U.S. continues to be the foundation for local employment. the most visitors in a decade. Additionally, a lot of energy Army proposed to shift existing combat helicopter Local loggers and residents stepped up after the devastating and attention was focused on developing new recreational training activities in Colorado to four new training Oso landslide killed 43 neighbors, friends and loved ones, opportunities near Darrington like the opening of the Suiattle areas in Washington State, including much of the Snowy Lakes Tower Mtn within MTA by Mark Wolf Armstrong isolating our town from population centers and threatening Road, implementation of the Whitehorse Trail and additional Okanagan Wenatchee National Forest. The broad proposal our summer recreation season. It was speculated the road mountain bike opportunities near town. allowed for multiple helicopter training exercises day and would not reopen for over a year. The community rallied to Relationships grew and deepened as local efforts to initiate night, 365 days a year, except for federal holidays. extended for three months to allow additional comments. search for our missing, return heirlooms caked in mud, clear Signatories on the letter grew to nearly 70 when the comment a STEM education program focused on reconnecting “We have a real tourism-based economy in the Methow, and I road access and clean up debris tirelessly for days, weeks and period closed. Darrington’s youth with their wild backyard. With support think those of us who live here, live here for the same reasons months. Our hearts and landscape are still recovering. from conservation and recreation groups, local teachers and that people come to visit us – everyone loves our backcountry. Conservation organizations were also concerned about a The events on March 22, 2014 changed all of us profoundly. mentorship from Tesla STEM High School in Redmond, our People from the city call it ‘iconic’,” said Lorah Super, an proposed helicopter landing site within the boundaries of the After the slide, our task at hand was to implement a vision to local Glacier Peak Institute took shape. Since then, the STEM outfitter and guide who lives just outside the small town of Alpine Lakes Wilderness. The 1964 Wilderness Act expressly keep Darrington’s history, community and economy strong for program has been awarded grant funding and has offered a Methow. “My quality of life and my livelihood are inherently prohibits landing of aircraft in a designated wilderness area. current and future generations. While logging is still a critical number of outings. A rafting trip with high school students connected to the peaks, ridges and streams that I consider my Recreation groups raised concerns chronicled on the pages of part of our local economy, so too is outdoor recreation. sampling water quality on the Sauk River attracted media backyard.” the Wenatchee World, Methow Valley News and the Seattle articles in the Everett Herald and the Seattle Times. In the weeks following the slide, Senator Patty Murray Times. responded to my request for help by ensuring that summer In addition to boosting outdoor recreation and opportunities “It appears that little or no thought “It appears that little or no thought has been put forward recreation seekers and sightseers would understand that for our youth, working with the conservation and recreation has been put forward with respect to with respect to avoiding recreational impacts by the current Darrington was still open for business. community has led to finding common ground in other areas. avoiding recreational impacts by the proposal,” said Gus Bekker, Wenatchee resident who represents On July 10, 2015, local Darrington leaders, conservation and current proposal.” El Sendero NCW, a backcountry ski and snowshoe club. “For recreation organizations, Governor Jay Inslee, Senator Patty -Gus Bekker, El Sendero NCW, a example, of the seven proposed helicopter landing sites in the Murray and Congresswoman Suzan DelBene launched the backcountry ski and snowshoe club North Cascades, four were actually located directly on top of Darrington Collaborative. The effort is focused on developing established Forest Service recreation trails.” projects to improve ecological diversity and forest health, while creating sustainable jobs in the forests near Darrington. Wildlife groups also raised concern that the proposal did In addition to the large North Cascades training area, three not address potential impacts from disturbance and noise to Darrington has always been fiercely independent and driven other training areas were proposed in southwest Washington endangered species. In particular, the southwest Washington by a strong sense of local pride and spirit which has served it on mostly state forest lands and on the doorstep of Mt. St. proposed training areas include important habitat for the well. After the slide, the level of support and common goals we Helens National Volcanic Monument. Established Forest endangered marbled murrelet. Scientists have identified that shared with conservation and recreation groups from “down Service trails are also threatened by this proposal, not to loud noise from low flying aircraft can have displacement and below” was crucial to the success of these initiatives. While mention a training area proposal within two miles of the behavioral impacts that may inhibit the species’ attempts to we undoubtedly don’t agree on everything, we have seized the iconic Pacific Crest Trail. recover. opportunity to walk forward on common ground into a future Washington Wild led efforts to bring together a diverse group beneficial to all. Washington Wild will continue to monitor the Army proposal of organizations to comment on the Army proposal and its as it moves forward in the public process. Dan Rankin is currently serving a four year term as Mayor of potential impacts to conservation, recreation and wildlife. Photo in Darrington courtesy of Thomas O’Keefe Darrington and served on Town Council for eight years prior. As a response to an initial letter signed by 26 conservation, 8 recreation and wildlife groups, the comment period was 9 Thank you to our Wild Night Out Sponsors for helping us raise over Wild Profiles: $70,000 for the protection of Washington’s wild lands and waters! Art Wolfe, Mark Boyar, New Honorary Chair of 2015 Karen M. Fant Founders Washington Wild Award Recipient For over two decades, Abracadabra Printing there has been one Art Wolfe man whose name is Fremont Brewing synonymous with the Middle Fork Lowe Graham Jones, PLLC The Wilderness Society Valley. He is Mark Thrivent Financial Boyar. An avid hiker Compendium sponsor and his son bidding during and father of two, Mark the 2015 live auction. Photo by Mandy Paul has worked tirelessly to clean up, restore and Photo by Art Wolfe Photo courtesy of Mark Boyar preserve the closest By Roger Mellem, Board President, and mountain valley to Seattle. Mark estimates he has volunteered Jim Hook, Executive Director 10 to 20 hours a week in the Middle Fork Valley since 1991. On behalf of the Board, Staff, Members and Supporters of In the early 1990’s, Mark led efforts to reclaim the Middle Washington Wild Updates Washington Wild, we are thrilled to welcome renowned Fork Valley from lawless activity and vandalism while photographer Art Wolfe as our first Honorary Chair. investing in recreational infrastructure. One of the first accomplishments was the installation of the iconic Middle Key Provisions Dropped from Timber Wild Olympics Bill Introduced into Art is a widely recognized and respected photographer Fork arch trail bridge and the development of the Middle Fork throughout the world, very much in the tradition of the late Sale near Snoqualmie Pass New Congress Trail. Ansel Adams. Like Adams was, Art is a committed wilderness Washington Wild led efforts by conservation and On June 4, 2015 U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) That success sparked the development of a citizen based conservationist. Morgan Freeman has said, “Art Wolfe is a recreation organizations in raising concerns about the and U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (D-WA08) blueprint for the valley and his founding of the Middle Fork virtuoso whose eye brings home, again and again, the absolute Hansen Creek timber sale proposed by the Mt. Baker- introduced the Wild Olympics Wilderness & Wild and Outdoor Recreation Coalition (MidFORC). Over the next need to preserve what we have.” Snoqualmie National Forest adjacent to the recently Scenic Rivers Protection Act which would permanently decade as a founding board member for Mountains to Sound At a Washington Wild event this spring, Art noted that he has designated Alpine Lakes Wilderness additions. As a protect more than 126,000 acres of new Wilderness on Greenway, Mark and MidFORC appealed to hikers, kayakers, taken photographs in virtually all of the Wilderness areas in result of two joint comment letters coordinated by and more than 460 miles of mountain bikers, fishermen and horse riders in advocating for Washington that our organization has helped protect. His goal Washington Wild and signed by eight groups, proposals Wild and Scenic Rivers on the Olympic Peninsula. As of restoration of the river corridor, a new campground, closing has always been to win support for conservation by “focusing to thin a naturally regenerated 120-year old forest stand introduction, the Wild Olympics proposal highlighted problematic spur roads, new trails and a paved access road. on what’s beautiful on the Earth.” and the use of a popular hiking trail (Ira Spring Trail) as local endorsements from nearly 500 elected officials, He worked with the Greenway Trust, Forterra, Washington a haul road were dropped from the final proposal. local businesses, hunting and fishing interests and other “It is in the wild places, where the edge of the earth meets Department of Natural Resources, the U.S. Forest Service stakeholders for this carefully crafted legislation. the corners of the sky, the human spirit is fed. In Washington and King County in the long effort to consolidate 98% of the State there are countless wild places and it is up to us to valley into public ownership. Since then he has helped secure protect them for future generations,” Art declares. more than 20 grants from businesses, nonprofits, foundations Born in Seattle, Art graduated from the University of and agencies. Washington with Bachelor’s degrees in fine arts and art Mark was also a critical member of a group of staff and education. His photography career has spanned five decades advocates developing a proposal to add 22,000 acres of and has drawn innumerable accolades. Robert Redford Wilderness and designate the Pratt and Middle Fork said, “Art Wolfe’s work tells a story that is overwhelming, Snoqualmie Rivers as Wild and Scenic. Working with breathtaking, and vast.” Washington Wild, Senator Patty Murray and Congressman We thank Art for his bigheartedness in agreeing to serve Dave Reichert, Mark saw his Middle Fork Valley receive as our Honorary Chair. Art’s ability to portray natural federal protection in December 2014. landscapes, both across the world and in Washington State, In 2007, Mark was awarded the Jefferson Award for volunteer has played a critical role in building support for conservation, public service by the Seattle P.I. for his extraordinary efforts both globally and here at home, and will continue to do so. to advocate for the Middle Fork Valley. He also received the For more information on Art and his work, visit 2015 Karen M. Fant Founders Award from Washington Wild Ira Spring Trail by Karen Sykes Campbell Grove in the Wild Olympics proposal by Tom O’Keefe www.artwolfe.com. for his work with Washington Wild in support of the Alpine 10 Lakes Wilderness Additions. 11 Washington FALLWild NEWSLETTER 2015

Washington Wild 305 N. 83rd Street Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage Seattle, WA 98103 PAID Seattle, WA Keeping Washington 12430 Wild, green and full of great beer!

Since its inception in 2012 the Washington Wild Brewshed® Alliance has grown to over 30 Brewshed® partners and raised over $50,000 for our conservation work. Come be part of this fun program by joining us for an upcoming event – 2016 calendar is available at www.brewshed.org.

Creating a Big Tent for Conservation: WA Wild Special Appeal

Last year Washington Wild made over 1,000 connections with local elected officials, business owners, recreation organizations and sportsmen to support the permanent protection of wild lands and waters. Help us continue to Create a Big Tent for Conservation in 2016 by giving during this special appeal.

Special Appeal Goal: 500 supporters and $25,000

Donate online at: www.wawild.org, or by mailing in the enclosed remittance envelope. Keep up with our progress on social media and become a #WildernessAdvocate! 12 Photo by Andy Porter Photography