Forests, Parks and Land Conservation

Protecting land is more than just preserving picturesque lands capes. Plants, animals, and humans depend on the systems nature provides—nutrient cycling, water purification, and pollination, among many others—to survive. Rapid development of the habitats that support such systems makes conservation an imperative. EarthShare member organizations are working to save parks, habitats, and ecosystems across the country and around the world.

Wildfire Season Arrives: Thunder Creek Closures, Fire Safety Tips

When you're heading out this season always check on the wildfire situation for where you're going. There may be trail and camp closures and routes blocked by blazes.Washington Trails news -Wildfire season has arrived early this year, due in part to a mild winter with little snow. Firefighters are currently battling the second small blaze of 2015 in the Thunder Creek area of North Cascades National Park. Learn which trails are currently closed and how you can help prevent fires from starting. Trail and backcountry camp closures in North Cascades National Park The Thunder Creek Trail from the Skagit Queen to Neve camps is currently closed due to a wildfire caused by lightning on May 30. As of June 10, the trail from Thunder Creek over Fourth of July Pass into Panther Creek remains open, but check with the park for updates. A portion of the Fisher Creek Trail is also closed from Cosho Camp to the Thunder Creek Trail junction. Closure area, as of June 8. Credit NPS   Tip: If you ever have a question about hiking in a region with an active wildfire, contact or visit a ranger station. Current campfire restrictions across the state Due to hot temperatures and low moisture, campfire restrictions are in place in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest in Chelan County. In restricted areas, campfires can only be built in designated campgrounds...Wildfire Season Arrives: Thunder Creek Closures, Fire Safety Tips 

Eight Family-Friendly Trails to Celebrate National Trails Day

One Washington trail makes the Rails to Trails Conservancy's list of great trails to celebrate National Trails Day on. Have a look which one made the list.Rails to Trails Conservancy news -There are two great reasons to celebrate in early June: the end of the school year...and National Trails Day! To help kick things off right, RTC is pleased to bring you this list of eight of the most family-friendly, “School’s out for summer!” trails in the country. Rickenbacker Trail Florida, 8.5 miles Pristine beaches, coastal dunes, snorkeling and an amusement center: You can find all these fun amenities—and more—along the Rickenbacker Trail on Key Biscayne, an island just south of Miami, Florida. Crandon Park, which covers more than 800 acres on the northern end of the island, was once a coconut plantation. At the southern end is Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, where a well-deserved snorkeling excursion is highly encouraged after your eight-mile journey. Note: Your kiddos will beg to get a birds-eye view from the historic lighthouse on the southern tip of the key. Steam into History Civil War-era replica train at Heritage Rail-Trail County Park, Pa. | Photo by John Gensor Heritage Rail Trail County Park Pennsylvania, 22 miles If the Civil War-era replica train that chugs alongside the trail at Heritage Rail Trail County Park doesn’t entice your young’uns,...Eight Family-Friendly Trails to Celebrate National Trails Day 

Volunteer Twice, Earn a Free Pass

There are a lot of great reasons to get out and volunteer - make friends, support a cause you care about or to learn new things. Washington Trails Associations has a program that rewards you directly as well.Washington Trails news - People join WTA work parties for many reasons: to keep our trails looking their best, to learn about a new area, even to make friends—but there's another reason to volunteer that you might not be aware of. When you participate in two work parties on National Forest land, you'll earn an annual Northwest Forest Pass—the $30 pass that you need to park at many trailheads in the state. This is a pretty handy perk, and the summer season is the best time to earn your pass. With volunteer work parties scheduled on all five of Washington's National Forests this summer, WTA has plenty of chances for you to rack up those two work parties and get your free pass. How will you know if the work party you sign up for qualifies? When you check out our Trail Work Parties Schedule, look in the "free pass" column. If it says "Yes", that work party counts towards earning a pass. After receiving your pass, you'll be just three work parties away from earning your own hard hat, complete with nickname. Read about WTA's volunteer benefits program here. Volunteer Twice, Earn a Free Pass 

New shuttle planned for popular North Bend hiking trails

We have some great news for those looking to get out to the trails.  Now, with a new service from member groups Washington Trails Association and Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust, you can take a shuttle to popular trails for $5.Mountains to Sound Greenway news -  NORTH BEND, Wash. (AP) - Officials in North Bend, Washington, hope a new shuttle service will ease traffic congestion at some of the area's most popular hiking trails, including Mount Si. The city has teamed up with the state Department of Natural Resources, the Washington Trails Association and the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust to offer the shuttle, which will run every half-hour on summer weekends from the park-and-ride in downtown North Bend. Stops include the Little Si, Mount Si and Teneriffe trailheads. Supporters say they hope to expand the service as it gains popularity. Future destinations could include the Middle Fork Snoqualmie River Valley, Rattlesnake Lake and other hiking, biking or kayaking routes. The shuttle schedule is also coordinated with King County Metro bus arrivals, so people can reach the trailheads from Seattle without driving. Round-trip shuttle fare is $5.New shuttle planned for popular North Bend hiking trails 

Wilderness Society, The

Works to protect special wild places from development so that future generations will have the opportunity to enjoy America's natural heritage.

We are the leading American conservation organization working to protect our nation’s shared wildlands. From well-known icons to hidden gems, protected wildlands give us: Clean air and water, Abundant wildlife, Havens for recreation, solitude and learning, Important sources of renewable energy, Vital natural resources that must be managed wisely, and A foundation for a healthy planet.

National Parks Conservation Association

Preserves national parks from the Grand Canyon to Gettysburg; protects endangered wildlife and cultural sites; promotes new parks; defends against pollution, inappropriate development and overcrowding.

Since our founding in 1919, the National Parks Conservation Association has been the independent, nonpartisan voice working to strengthen and protect America's favorite places.

National Forest Foundation

Improving the health, productivity, and diversity of our national forests and grasslands through wildlife habitat conservation, watershed restoration, recreational enhancements and community-based forest stewardship programs.

Chartered by Congress, the National Forest Foundation was created in 1993 with a simple mission: bring people together to restore and enhance our National Forests and Grasslands.

Contact

EarthShare Washington | 509 Olive Way, Suite 1234 | Seattle, WA 98101 | 1.206-622-9840