Recreation in OUR BACK Yard
Posted by Gary O'Rielly
on Mar 26, 2012
Rod Mace, interim Forest Service Supervisor of the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest started our series Recreation in Our Back Yard talking about the numerous general purpose uses of the national forest. Mace used a quote by John Muir, the creator of the national forest system, saying "Wilderness is a necessity". (Find the full quote in our website's News Section.) The Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest stretches from the Canadian border to Mt. Rainier. Annually, there are over 5 million visitors to this forest region which tops all other national forests in the United States. About 52% of the visitors to MBSNF are 31 to 50 years old and 72% come to the forest to hike and walk.
There are over 13 major activities from camping around the Mt. Loop Highway near Verlot, to horseback riding, nature viewing or just driving around the scenic Mt. Loop highway. Other activites are the Big Four Ice Caves ()never go into the caves!), the Monte Cristo mining site, picnicking, the Gold Creek Pond and the Rogue Railway road plus many outdoor learning areas. White water activities on the Skagit River are popular as well as cross country skiing in several areas of the national forest and there are over 1,000 lakes in the MBSNF area. There are 1.6 million skiing visitors each year and twelve fire look-outs sites throughout the MBSNF. Glacier Peak is the largest wilderness area with over 500,000 acres.
The Back-yard Community program working with youth through the community engagement partnerships reached over 30,000 children last year through the International District Housing Alliance. Their Get Movin' program promotes a healthy living style. On the financial side of the region, trail maintenance is down about 10-12% from the $4 billion dollar agency budget. Budget reductions in 2013 likely to be around 12-14% which will have a huge impact on the region.
This was another example of an outstanding program with a guest speaker who excited the members with information about the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest and the impact on our region. Click here for more information about the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest.
The Back-yard Community program working with youth through the community engagement partnerships reached over 30,000 children last year through the International District Housing Alliance. Their Get Movin' program promotes a healthy living style. On the financial side of the region, trail maintenance is down about 10-12% from the $4 billion dollar agency budget. Budget reductions in 2013 likely to be around 12-14% which will have a huge impact on the region.
This was another example of an outstanding program with a guest speaker who excited the members with information about the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest and the impact on our region. Click here for more information about the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest.