Conservation Note for December

Every Trails Club member has had the good fortune to hike or camp or climb or
swim/raft/canoe/kayak in one of the most beautiful places on Earth, the Pacific
Northwest. Many of the places we enjoy remain vulnerable, or have newly
become vulnerable. Each month we will have a note featuring one or two
organizations working to protect our natural places, and ways to support them, or
a note about conservation actions in one of these special places. We hope every
Trails Club member will choose to participate in some conservation effort or
activity that matches your time available and your interests. As climate change
progresses, it is ever more urgent to “Love it (and fight to protect it) or Lose it!”

Friends of Mt. Hood

Mount Hood’s white silhouette in the distance is one of the defining features of
the City of Roses. Not just a beautiful backdrop for the city, this glaciated peak
provides opportunities for climbing, hiking, camping and quiet enjoyment. It also
has three major sets of developed recreational ski slopes, Mt Hood Meadows,
Timberline, and Mt. Hood Ski Bowl. The Friends of Mount Hood (FOMH) began
in 1988 as a group of concerned activists opposing the extension of Mt. Hood
Meadows to the largely unspoiled northeast flank of the mountain. Over the
decades since, FOMH has watched over Mount Hood, working to preserve a
balance between developed recreational facilities and the natural, undeveloped
areas of our iconic mountain. Over these decades, FOMH has developed a
mutually respectful relationship with the three big corporations, though never
hesitating to stand up in opposition when commercial development threatened to
overbalance the preservation of natural areas which provide less commercial
recreational opportunities.
Dennis Chaney, Chairman of the FOMH board, believes that all three family
owned corporations share his love for this mountain, as do most residents of
Northwest Oregon. He is optimistic that FOMH can continue to hold the line for a
healthy balance between for-profit recreation and the natural beauty of our
mountain.
How you can support Friends of Mount Hood
Friends of Mount Hood doesn’t sponsor or host its own events; it’s more of a watchdog
organization. New members are always welcome (donations, as well) – see its website
at http://friendsofmounthood.org
If someone has a strong interest in the cause, Friends is willing to take on new
board members, Chaney said. Some fresh web expertise would be gladly appreciated.