Let's connect to the Cascades

Published: July 10, 2008

By Rufus Woods, Wenatchee World, 7-4-08

In recent months, I've had the opportunity to interview a number of community leaders about the things they value most about living in North Central Washington. Virtually every person has highlighted two common themes - pride in the natural beauty of the North Cascades and a tremendous sense of community.

So when the folks at the Wilderness Society came to me looking for support for their North Cascades Initiative recently, I was curious to see what they had in mind. Having seen lots of organizations paint doom-and-gloom scenarios, I've become a believer in the power of more constructive approaches.

To my delight, their focus is on connecting people and communities to the beauty of the North Cascades. That was a vision I could enthusiastically support. We're one of a number of partners throughout the state who have signed on to support the Wilderness Society's North Cascades Initiative. Others include the North Cascades National Park, Recreational Equipment Inc., the North Central Washington Economic Development District, the Cascade Loop Association, the Snohomish YMCA and Seattle radio station KMTT.

What the organization is trying to do fits perfectly with our mission of working for a vibrant regional economy, building a strong sense of community and helping connect folks with the amazing natural beauty of the region.

Jennifer Stephens, the communicators director for the Wilderness Society, described the North Cascades this way: "It's such a big, wild ecosystem that is still very pristine and has world-class recreation. The natural beauty is so close to so many people."

The North Cascades Initiative is focused on raising awareness and inspiring action. Familiarity breeds complacency and too many of us in turn take the great outdoors for granted. We forget that the North Cascades is a big reason people move here, start businesses and stay.

The environment we live in is also a great economic driver, for that reason. Our civic leaders are beginning to connect those dots, thankfully. We are a recreational mecca and it's encouraging to see communities and civic officials starting to play to that strength.

If the Wilderness Society and other organizations can build greater awareness and help encourage people to share that experience with their sons and daughters, we have a better chance of leaving future generations a resource-rich legacy.

One of the challenges in today's society is getting youngsters out from in front of the computer or television and into nature. It's the notion inspired in part by the No Child Left Inside Coalition. That point was illustrated beautifully for me recently when I visited a youth camp (outside of North Central Washington) and they were teaching counselors how to ride bikes and fish. A number had never had any exposure. That was a shocker.

To get folks outside, the Wilderness Society has built a Web site with lots of resources to help people enjoy the North Cascades. There are opportunities for stewardship and other volunteer activities as well as basic information about great places to experience. It can be found at experiencewilderness.org.

All of us who live here have an obligation to make sure that we leave to future generations the best of what we have found here.

Now all we need to do is get out there and experience what nature has to offer. So take advantage of the great weather, pack up the car and head to a park, trailhead or scenic vista and experience what makes this place unique.