The Mountaineers
Mountaineers have always been fierce advocates for the natural world. Thanks to early Mountaineers, we helped to protect and establish Olympic National Park, North Cascades National Park, and the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. Today, conservation advocacy remains central to our mission and is a key strategic priority.
As a leading voice in Washington, we work on issues that impact public lands and land management to ensure recreational access to our favorite natural places for our members and the greater outdoor community for generations to come. And each fall, conservationists and advocates in our community gather for An Evening of Advocacy to celebrate and fund this important work.
Prioritizing conservation and advocacy is a huge investment of resources, and while many of our programs at The Mountaineers are supported by earned revenue, our conservation work relies on donations. We can only educate, steward, and advocate to protect our cherished wild places thanks to the incredible support of a community of donors.
An Evening of Advocacy
For the last five years, The Mountaineers has gathered annually to raise awareness and funds for our donor-supported Conservation & Advocacy program. Each year we center the event around a pressing conservation issue, and invite leaders and advocates to engage in insightful discussion to broaden understanding, support advocacy, and elevate solutions. The program showcases our conservation work and brings our larger community together to share ways we can advocate.
Kevin Skerl (left), Deputy Superintendent of Mt. Rainier National Park, discusses visitor use management challenges the Park is facing At the 2023 An Evening of Advocacy .
An Evening of Advocacy is also the primary annual fundraising effort that specifically funds our conservation work. All funds raised via ticket sales, donations, and sponsorships directly support our Conservation & Advocacy team and the regional and national work we do to protect the natural world.
A Focus on Northwest Forests
This year’s An Evening of Advocacy program will focus on the sustainable future possible for regional forests. We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to better protect the Northwest’s national forests from today’s threats. The Northwest Forest Plan - the blueprint for how the Northwest’s national forests are managed - is getting an update to make our forests more resilient to wildfire and climate impacts. And The Mountaineers has a seat at the table on the Federal Advisory Committee that’s crafting this new plan.
Join us for a panel discussion and community conversation with a fire ecologist, a Tribal representative, and a forest policy expert to hear how the updated plan aims to carve a better path forward. The program will tackle questions like:
- How can we protect our last remaining old growth forests?
- How do we prepare for increased wildfire on the west side of the Cascades in the era of climate change?
- What does increased tribal leadership in forest management look like?
Hear from Megan Birzell - Washington State Director, The Wilderness Society - about strategies to balance old growth protection with local community needs; from Dr. James Johnston, PHD - Assistant Research Professor, University of Oregon - about how the legacy of fire suppression has impacted the health of our forests; and from Ann House, JD - Senior Staff Attorney, Snoqualmie Indian Tribe - about her leadership in crafting groundbreaking changes to how the Forest Service meaningfully consults with Tribes.
Lastly, our Conservation & Advocacy Director and fellow member of the Federal Advisory Committee, Betsy Robblee, will share how The Mountaineers and other outdoor recreationists can lend our voices to promote forest resilience and create positive change for our forests.
2024 An Evening of Advocacy speaking panel. (L to R) Ann House, James Johnston, Megan Birzell, Betsy Robblee (moderator).
Support Our Conservation & Advocacy Work
To support our work and join the conversation, attend this year’s An Evening of Advocacy being held on October 9 at Westland Distillery in Seattle. All funds raised through the event’s ticket sales, sponsorships, and donations powers our ability to convene with partners across the state and at the federal level to tackle tough issues and advocate for a future where everyone can enjoy our forests and natural world.
Event Details
An Evening of Advocacy
Ensuring a Sustainable Future for Northwest Forests
Wednesday, October 9, 2024 | 6-9pm
Westland Distillery
2931 1st Ave S, Seattle, WA 98134
Casual Attire
REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS SEPTEMBER 30
Can’t join us on October 9? Please consider a donation and pledge your support for our conservation mission.
For more information about this year’s event or to sponsor the 2024 An Evening of Advocacy, please email Rose Steller Burke at roseb@mountaineers.org or call 206-521-6020.
