The Wild Olympics Campaign and the local effort to safeguard clean water and old growth forests are highlighted in a new episode of "This American Land", a national TV program on PBS. The segment features interviews with a number of Olympic Peninsula community members working to permanently protect ancient forests and salmon streams on Olympic National Forest as wilderness and Wild and Scenic Rivers.
Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and Representative Derek Kilmer (D-WA) have introduced legislation to permanently protect more than 126,000 acres of ancient and mature forests on Olympic National Forest as wilderness, and 19 Olympic Peninsula rivers and major tributaries as Wild and Scenic. The bill is aimed at permanently safeguarding critical salmon habitat, outdoor recreation and sources of clean drinking water for local communities. Backed by over 450 sportsmen organizations, local elected officials, business owners, conservation & outdoor recreation groups, and members of the faith community, the measure was crafted with considerable local stakeholder involvement over several years.
Thomas O'Keefe, the Pacific Northwest Stewardship Director at American Whitewater, helped roll out the Wild Olympics Campaign in 2010. Our members have supported Tom and AW's effort with two grants in the last four years.
Watch and share the Wild Olympics segment on the American Whitewater Facebook page before it airs on PBS in August.
