OUTDOORS WEST - Federation of Western Outdoor Clubs

AboutTHEFEDERAEDERATIONOF WESTERNOUTDOORCLUBSHISTORYAs the American frontier closed in the latel9th century, people throughout the west beganto gather in local outdoor clubs. They sought toenjoy nature rather than to exploit it. They longedfor a different relationship to the land, one ofrespect that was rooted in a new ethic.As their numbers grew, they felt the need tocooperate and coordinate their work to preserveand enjoy nature. In 1932, they banded togetherto form the Federation of Western Outdoor Clubs.It has carried this work forward ever since, representingnearly four dozen clubs in eight states.Through the years, the Federation has helpedexpand our systems to protect nature. Its agentsand members helped secure passage of the wildernessAct. They made important contributionsto the establishment of the North Cascades NationalPark and to the establishment of the AlpineLakes wilderness in Washington State, aswell as to the establishment of various wildernessareas in the national forests of Oregon andCalifornia. In recent years, it lent its help to theestablishment of a national monument in the SierraNevada Range to protect the remainder ofthe Giant Sequoias.THE FEDERATION’S PURPOSES♦ To unite its member clubs behind a sharedagenda of conservation goals.♦ To help its member clubs become more effectivein their own conservation work:• By educating them on the basic issues.• By disseminating information on the challengesand opportunities for conservation.• By fostering understanding of effective meansfor reaching its goals.♦ To lend its support to the conservation campaignsof allied groups that specialize ingiven issues (in pursuit of its shared agenda).♦ To help its member clubs find solutions totheir operating problems through sharing informationabout solutions that some mayhave found.CONSERVATION AIMS♦ To secure additional protection for qualifiedareas of wilderness on public lands.♦ To protect wildlife, native plants, waters and landsin wildlife refuges and through other means.♦ To preserve the natural integrity of areasvaluable for recreation.♦ To promote stewardship of forests on publicand private lands, while preserving remainingold-growth forests.♦ To protect and restore the quality of air, water,and soils and the integrity of rivers, lakes,wetlands, coasts, grasslands and deserts.HOW IT WORKSThe Federation looks to its members to helpit carry out its mission. They work in their ownareas to realize its aims. Vice presidents in eachstate where it is organized may be authorized tospeak officially for the Federation. Its presidentis its chief spokesman. The Federation is alsorepresented in Washington, D.C., where it collaborateswith others and offers testimony. Alertsare sent periodically to its member clubs aboutmatters that command its attention.Its official newsletter, Outdoors West, is senta number of times each year to its members. Itfeatures stories that provide more backgroundon emerging issues, as well as news of its memberclubs.Each summer delegates from member clubsgather at a convention to decide the Federation’sposition on issues of concern. Resolutions aresubmitted by member clubs and are discussedand adopted by the delegates. The resolutionsoften provide an early warning of new threatsand display the breadth of the issues that concernconservationists. They weld together a coalitionthat can harness the energies of thousandsof concerned members. The resolutions providea springboard for action to enlist the support ofpublic officials and legislators.MEMBERSHIPThe Federation is composed of organizationsthat engage in hiking, camping, birding and othersimilar activities that rely on an outdoor environmentwhere natural conditions predominate.Organizations in the West that have such programs,and that have an active interest in protectingthe natural environment, are invited toaffiliate.Individuals who wish to give their added supportto its purposes are also urged to join.Membership forms are on Page 11.Spring 2002FWOC - Outdoors West 3