Hello all, passing along this valuable info and opportunity from Friends of the Gorge:
Greetings!
This is an opportunity to bring different recreation user groups together to discuss the future of recreation in the Gorge. It is our hope that through these meetings, we can pool our energy and resources to help address increasing recreation demands on the Gorge while protecting the Gorge environment. We believe we have an opportunity to craft a recreation vision that will benefit the Gorge and multiple recreation users through a facilitated discussion.
All meetings will be held at the Community Center in Cascade Locks from 4 – 7 pm. Dinner will be provided (so please register so we have an appropriate head count!).
· Tuesday, October 15
o Here we will be focusing on getting to know one another and answering questions such as: How do you and your constituents recreate in the Gorge? What is working? Where are the challenges? What would you like to see in the future?
· Tuesday, November 12
o At this meeting (subject to approval from the group at the first meeting), we will focus on going around the room to gather a lay of the land regarding recreation policies and politics. Staff from Gorge agencies (U.S. Forest Service, Gorge Commission and Oregon State Parks) can be invited to talk about their effort to effectively manage recreation in the Gorge.
· Tuesday, December 10
o Subject to approval from the group, group discussions will be held to create a united vision and hopefully lay out future plans of action.
Register here: http://gorgefriends.nonprofitsoapbox.com/hikes/event/66. The only way to register is through this link. It is not on our website since it is invitation-only.
Collaborating and having these discussions now are important since Oregon State Parks is currently undergoing a review of its recreation management plan. Your voice is important so we can get a diverse perspective on recreation activity in the Gorge. If you cannot attend one or all the meetings, invite another representative from your organization.
At this time we are only reaching out to recreation user groups (not government agencies) so please feel free to share this.
Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have further questions. We have an opportunity now to protect the world-renowned beauty of the Gorge and elevate its recreation to world-class status.
Sincerely,
Maegan Jossy
Outdoor Programs Coordinator
Friends of the Columbia Gorge
[email protected]
971-634-2028