Mazamas

From our origins in 1894, Mazamas have had a long record of conservation and preservation.  This continues today.  The 2001 membership survey results showed that 80% of our membership believe that the Mazamas should be active in conservation and environmental issues. With this in mind, the Conservation Committee strives to increase our visibility and influence within the community as well as in our own organization.

What do we do?

• We take an active role in conservation issues.
• Through conservation grants and affiliations, we support efforts and activism by other conservation organizations.
• We recognize outstanding conservationists within the Mazamas with the Montague Bowl award.

Mazamas Conservation Goals and Strategies

Goal

• Mountain environments are protected and managed to balance their use for public enjoyment and their value as natural habitats.

• Advocate for open and fair access to alpine areas.
• Promote education and outreach to encourage stewardship of the environment.
• Maintain direct communication with public officials and land managers to support science based ecosystem management.
• Further scientific inquiry and understanding of alpine ecosystems.
• Leverage our conservation efforts through participation with coalitions and other organizations.

Conservation Grants

Each year the Conservation Committee awards grants to Northwest organizations working to preserve our natural heritage.  Application instructions, past recipients, and more are available here.

Current Issues

Forever Forests Seminar
The Conservation Committee hosted the Forever Forests seminar on April 2nd, 2009 at the Mazama Mountaineering Center.  This event was organized together with CRAG Law Center to provide an opportunity for Mazamas and the public to learn about forest ecosystem health directly from four scientific experts.  A follow-up weekend field session with the scientists allowed participants to snowshoe the Tilly Jane trail and learn first hand about the impact of the 2008 Gnarl Ridge fire on Mt. Hood.

Mazama Tree Planting Project
On March 7th, 2009, the Conservation Committee along with the National Forest Foundation and Oregon Wildlife Heritage Foundation hosted the Mazamas Friends of the Forest Day. Over 50 volunteers planted trees along the Salmon River, completing a restoration project to re-establish Chinook and Coho salmon habitat, build new riparian forest land, and sequester carbon.

Wilderness Legislation
In cooperation with other outdoor and conservation organizations, the Mazamas supported recent evolving wilderness legislation introduced by our representatives in Congress. The combined effort ultimately resulted in the signing of Omnibus Public Lands Management Act by President Obama on March 30th, 2009, protecting over 200,000 acres in Oregon including areas around Mount Hood, Copper Salmon, Soda Mountain, Spring Basin and the Badlands.

Cooper Spur Expansion
The Conservation Committee has been actively involved in opposing the proposed expansion of the Cooper Spur ski area on the north side of Mount Hood.

• Statement by Mazamas Executive Council opposing the Cooper Spur expansion
• Link to www.cooperspur.org, a coalition group opposing this development

Global Warming
The Conservation Committee is working in cooperation with the Portland State University Department of Geography and Geology in documenting the shrinking of the glaciers of the Cascades. The Mazamas have donated proceeds from the Melting Mountains Conference held in April 2007 to PSU for aerial photography documenting the impact of global warming on glaciers in the Cascades.

Melting Mountains Conference
On April 14th, 2007 the Conservation Committee hosted the Melting Mountains Conference focusing on the impact of climate change on our mountains’ glaciers and the Pacific Northwest. We learned what is being done and what more can be done, both by government and by us in our own personal lives.  We extend our thanks to the speakers, volunteers, sponsors and the attendees for making this such a great conference. 

Affiliations

The Mazama Conservation Committee works with the following organizations through council approved activities including writing letters of support and participation in coalitions. We support selected organizations with conservation grants and with membership subscriptions:

• 1000 Friends of Oregon
• Bark 
• Coast Range Association
• Cooper Spur Wild and Free Coalition
• Crag Law Center
• Federation of Western Outdoor Clubs
• Forest Service Employees for Env. Ethics
• Friends of Crater Lake
• Friends of Forest Park
• Friends of Mt. Hood
• Friends of Opal Creek
• Friends of the Columbia Gorge
• Gifford Pinchot Task Force
• Hells Canyon Preservation Council
• North Coast Land Trust
• ONDA (Oregon Natural Desert Association)
• Oregon Wild (formerly Oregon Natural Resources Council)
• OCN (Oregon Conservation Network)
• Pechuck Lookout
• Soda Mountain Wilderness Council
• SOLV
• The Nature Conservancy
• Urban Nature Overnights (Oregon Zoo)
• Wolftree