Activity Report Explorer

Cascade Volcanoes • Entered by Laurie Kerr on December 21, 2024

2024 Washington State Trail Conference

October 3, 2024 – October 5, 2024

Key Issue: Multiple apply
Activity Type: Broadband Meeting (prep, implementation & follow up)
Key Partners: Washington Trails Association/DNR/Cowlitz Tribe/US Forest Service/Conservation NW/WA Dept Fish and Wildlife/Washington DOT/NPS/Pacific NW Trail Association

Measurable Outcomes

Outcome 1: Event Attendees (24 people)

Short Description of Activity

Laurie and Carolyn Mastin attended the 2024 Washington state Trails Conference in Wenatchee, Wa October 3 – 5, 2024.

Reflection/Evaluation

The Trails conference was wonderful and allowed us to network with other like-minded organizations. We scored 2 presenters for our chapter meetings, as well. Here is a list of the presentations we attended:

-Silver Star Vision Plan–Collaborating to Mondernize a Trail System
-Paysayten Wilderness Project
-Outdoor Access and Responsible Recreation
-Advocating for Trails: Best Practices
-Forest Service Trail Workforce: PNW Region
-Oregon Coast Trail
-E bikes

Carolyn and I presented a 45-minute power point presentation titled: “Finding Solitude in Indian Heaven Wilderness” Here is a brief description of the talk:

“The Cascade Volcanoes Chapter of the Great Old Broads for Wilderness completed its seventh season partnering with the US FS to monitor solitude on trails in Washington and Oregon Wilderness areas. Federal agencies are charged with maintaining the mandated character of federally designated Wilderness, including the character of solitude. During 2023, volunteers logged more than 500 hours during 20 trips withing Washington’s Indian Heaven Wilderness to collect visitor counts. This data will assist the Mt. Adams Ranger District in evaluating the solitude quality. Funding was provided by the National Wilderness Stewardship Alliance. Great Old Broads for Wilderness is a women-led national grassroots organization that engages and inspires activism to preserve and protect wilderness and wild lands.”

Here is the recorded UTUBE video of the presentation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbq7adD6BZY

The food was great and the presentations were varied and valuable. I wanted to share what SW Washington was doing since we rarely get any media attention. The presentation went well and we had a total of 24 people in the audience. The conference also helped me gain insight as to how to advocate for trails when going to Olympia. I will plan on attending the Trails Lobby Day in Olympia on March 18. I also was better able to submit my comments to DNR about the Vision Plan after attending their presentation, as well.