February 15, 2006

Mount Hood Oregon Chapter Completes First Project

Although only 6 months old, the first chapter of ForestRanger.org has completed a project. Working in partnership with the Mt. Hood Cultural Center & Museum in Government Camp, the Mt. Hood Chapter helped initiate the restoration and adaptive use of the two unique A-frame forest ranger residences already nearing historic status. If ForestRanger.org had not moved quickly, they would have been surplused and removed.

As a result of a timely special use permit, and provision of needed liability insurance with the assistance of the American Resources Group through ForestRanger.org, the Museum sponsored a blacksmith training program in one of the buildings. The program teaches how to construct replicas of the historic ironwork fashioned by CCC craftsmen in the construction of Timberline Lodge and other Cascadian design forest buildings.

The second cabin is slated to become an integral part of the new Village Trails Plan. Additional efforts are under way provide space for a fiber arts program teaching historic spinning, dyeing and felting skills.

Good for the community, good for history, and putting historic but now surplus National Forest buildings to continuing good use. This is what ForestRanger.org is all about.

December 23, 2005

New Group to Protect Historic Ranger Stations
 

On September 3, 2005 Forestranger.org was organized in Portland, Oregon. It is an association of people throughout the U.S, concerned about the future of historic structures within the National Forest system and other public lands.

The new organization has five goals:

1. To work to reconnect U.S. Forest Service offices with rural communities through partnerships in re-opening closed facilities (i.e. Guard Stations, Work Centers) and offices (i.e. Ranger Stations, Visitor Centers) to serve the public.

2. To increase public awareness of the multiple use benefits of responsible and productive stewardship of public lands.

3. To open new lines of communication with urban-based populations.

4. To protect historic Forest Service structures with emergency maintenance.

5. To assist in program development and community support for appropriations.

The organization will be guided with a national board of directors working through local chapters throughout the U.S. Keith Argow will serve as the convening chair until a national board of directors is selected. Nominations (volunteers are encouraged to contact argow@cs.net or call (888) GRN-TREE.)

Dues are set at $10/year during the development phase. All this money will go into an escrow account to be used for organization, newsletters and mailings. The National Forestry Association will support the new organization by providing a quarterly report in the Forestry Advantage newsletter.

Actions in the Fourth Quarter, 2005

1. Working Capital Fund for Structures: Beginning in 2006, all Forest Service structures will be assessed a maintenance charge determined by square footage. The funds will be withdrawn from benefiting functions. Those buildings, including some historic CCC structures, closed ranger stations, surplus buildings, etc. that turn up under-funded could be reviewed for sale or removal. This is an especially risky process for historic structures. The agency is downsizing now, but likely to grow in the future.

2. Funds allocated to specific buildings may not necessarily be spent on maintenance of those buildings. They will be allocated to the fund (WCF) and withdrawn on a priority basis. Structures without an apparent use or an advocate could be charged for maintenance, but not maintained. This is an important opportunity for volunteer support.

3. The Chair contacted all nine USFS Regional Foresters in September alterting them to the problem with the request: “Please don’t throw out historic structures with the WCF.”

4. The popular and effective Passport In Time (PIT) project has received budget reductions resulting in consolidations and possible discontinuation of its informative newsletter. Forestranger.org will seek to find alternatives to get this word out to supporters to maintain the PIT mission.

Readers, whether members or not, are encouraged to provide support and comments to: Forestranger.org, 374 Maple Ave. East, Vienna, VA 22180, email: argow@cs.net.