Summer Recreation and the Discover Pass

With summer in full swing it’s a great time to get outdoors and explore nature. Whether you enjoy hiking, kayaking, biking, swimming, boating, or lounging by the water recreational opportunities are plentiful!

Below are a few resources about visiting state parks, national parks, and federal recreation lands. 

 If you are planning a trip to one of Washington’s state managed recreation lands you may want to research the Discover Pass.  

You can visit the Discover Pass website at: http://www.discoverpass.wa.gov/faq/

The website also has a feature that lets you look up the vendors in your area that sell the Discover Pass. You can access the vendor list at: http://wdfw.wa.gov/licensing/vendors/

If you are planning a trip to a national parks or other federal recreation lands you may want to research, America the Beautiful - the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass.

For more information about the pass you can visit: http://store.usgs.gov/pass/annual.html

For information about where to purchase a pass you can visit: http://store.usgs.gov/pass/PassIssuanceList.pdf The PDF document lists vendor location by state.

A few things to keep in mind…

·         Plan ahead. Some parks require reservations, some sections of the park may be closed, you may need permits, etc.

·         Read and follow park rules. The rules help to ensure your safety and preserve the quality of the park for future visitors.

·         Familiarize yourself with the principles of Leave No Trace (LNT). LNT is an environmental ethic meant to foster the respectful treatment of the outdoors. You can visit http://lnt.org/programs/principles.php for more information about the principles and minimizing your impact on the environment.

·         Have fun and be safe!

Saying Goodbye

The end of something, whatever it may be, often prompts us to reflect. This is the last week of my 10.5 month service term as an AmeriCorps Volunteer and I am going to use this entry as a reflection of my time with Cascadia Conservation District.

I would like to thank the people who I’ve worked with, especially my supervisor. It was not easy moving across the United States, leaving family and friends behind. I missed holidays, weddings and births. I missed my mom’s cooking, family traditions, New England in fall, and whoopie pies.

Despite all the things I missed, I never got homesick because staff members made me feel so welcomed. In between hectic work schedules and deadlines, they shared their stories, the best places to hike, what restaurants I should try and where I could take my car if it needed an oil change. They lent me hiking gear, shared recipes, and invited me over for dinner. They took a vested interest in my life and professional growth.

Consequently I’ve grown a lot. I will miss staff members and everything they’ve done for me. I don’t know where life will take me after this, but I do know that this experience and the wonderful people who shaped it will certainly be part of it.

Thanks for everything!

Your friend in conservation,

Amanda