Stewarding Public Lands: Our Conservation and Access Priorities
As the largest organized recreational user group on public lands in the region, The Mountaineers offers an informed, boots-on-the-ground perspective into land management policies and practices. Our members recreate volunteer, study and teach on a patchwork of lands managed by state, federal and local agencies. As citizens of the public lands system, we are not only qualified, but obligated to be involved in the management and protection of our public lands for future generations. The Mountaineers engages in stewardship, education and advocacy efforts to further the following priorities:
Environmental Literacy
Inspire, engage, inform
Environmental literacy encompasses awareness and knowledge of the environment -- the foundation for all informed policy action and individual action. The Mountaineers continues a long tradition of programs and courses that connect the public to issues affecting the natural world.
The Mountaineers encourages recreationists to build an understanding and appreciation for the natural world which will inspire caring and protective action. We believe awareness and knowledge of the environment is the foundation for all informed policy action and individual action.
Protect the Wild Backcountry
Defend wild, intact landscapes
The Mountaineers advocates for protecting and designating wilderness areas, wild and scenic rivers, maintaining the integrity of roadless areas and appropriate management of motorized recreation in both summer and winter. Protected landscapes are set the stage for backcountry exploration and are vital to healthy, resilient ecosystems. By preserving wild, intact lands we preserve the defining features and biota of the Pacific Northwest and provide the ability for future generations to explore the untamed natural world.
Responsible Recreational Access
Protect connections to wildlands and opportunities for exploration
Recreational access to public lands is essential to the continued conservation and stewardship of the outdoors. The Mountaineers work to preserve connections to healthy landscapes by supporting the maintenance of recreational access infrastructure -- roads, trails, access routes -- where environmentally appropriate. We work with land managers to steward recreational infrastructure and provide input on fees and policies that affect muscle-powered recreational use of public lands.
Low Impact Recreation
Prevent and respond to backcountry recreation impacts
Recognized as a leader in best practices for outdoor activities, The Mountaineers has a great capacity to reduce and prevent recreational impacts to the environment. By aligning with the principles and skills promoted by the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Education, The Mountaineers will be a regional leader and on the cutting edge of training educators and leaders in the field. Partnerships with land managers will thrive as The Mountaineers works to identify and restore backcountry areas that have seen over-use or abuse by recreationists.
Our Positions
Protect the Outdoors/Get Involved
The Mountaineers offers opportunities to participate in public land stewardship, environmental education, and policy work across our branches. Contact Sarah Krueger, Public Lands Programs manager, to find out how to get involved!
