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Do you see people abusing the forests when you're out there enjoying the trails or camping whether it be littering, cutting trees, camp fires during bans, and destroying or making new trails? Do you wish that your presence would deter that kind of behavior? If so, I have a deal for you. A new Forest Watch Volunteer Program has started up in Eastern WA and I am the Western WA Representative.
The Forest Watch Volunteer Program is bigger than just our area. We have hopes that the Forest Watch Volunteer Program goes nationwide some day. Too many of our public lands are being closed due to lack of funding. Some seasonal, and others forever. Any damage done that has to be fixed takes away from the funding to do general maintenance and other normal operating costs. These vandals are taking away our land because of repair costs and giving the Greenies ammo to shut us out.
We envision someday that the program will have campers, hikers, bird watchers, horsemen, fishermen, hunters, ATV riders, 4 wheelers, snowmobilers, etc. having their own Forest Watch Programs policing themselves. Peer pressure goes a long ways and is alot easier than unrelated users policing unrelated users. What a utopian society we could have if we cleaned up ourselves instead of battling each other.
"Forest Watch Volunteer Program" is open to everyone. All outdoor enthusiasts including campers, hikers, bird watchers, horsemen, fishermen, hunters, ATV riders, 4 wheelers, snowmobilers, etc are encouraged to participate.
This is a volunteer program for those who are willing to report violators that break the rules on our Public Lands. If people know we are watching then hopefully we can lessen damage done and keep access to our public lands open and reduce the amount of taxpayers money being spent for repairs to these areas.
No meetings, work days or membership dues are required. Just Vigilance and a willingness to take pictures of and report offenders caught in the "act".
As a volunteer you are being asked to be vigilant for those that would do damage to our public lands and their resources. If a volunteer observes someone intentionally doing damage to public lands by vandalizing property, mudding, forging new trails, cutting down trees, starting fires, etc. they are asked to take photos getting as much information as possible including but not limited to vehicles and or individuals doing the damage and whenever possible recording license plate numbers.
There are decals you can get from the website and put on your Jeep and tees and hoodies for you to show the world that you are a Forest Watch Volunteer.
More info here on who to contact to become a PR Rep for your area. http://www.orvforestwatch.org/
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