Are We Not Interested In Our National Forests Anymore?
I guess I’ve always taken it for granted that living in Oregon, you can visit a national forest anytime you want. I mean, they really are all around us, easily accessible and varied in the activities and scenery they provide. I think a lot of Northwesterners feel the same way. We see the wilderness around us, we know it is there, but we don’t necessarily visit it every weekend. This attitude may be in part why the number of people visiting national parks has decreased dramatically since 2004, especially in the Northwest.
Experts are not clear as to why the decrease has occurred though they do have several ideas:
1. Rising Visitor Fees
2. High Gas Prices
3. An uninterested youth base (the video game generation)
4. An ever growing urban society
I don’t know – what do you think? Do you think our national forests are in danger? Do you think society no longer appreciates outdoor pursuits? I don’t think that is the case. I think there is just more and more out there to compete for our time. There are not enough vacation days to go visit your family in California AND take a weeks camping vacation in the Deschutes National Forest. It’s sad but our lives are fast moving these days. What is clear about this trend is that it could have long-term negative effects. Many of the communities around these forests thrive on tourist income to survive. It could also mean diminished federal funding to support and maintain these forests.
So, what do we do? Put hiking, camping or just a simple day trip on your to-do list in the next 2-3 months. Bundle up, make a thermos of hot cocoa, grab your binoculars and supplies and spend some time outside enjoying what this planet has to offer.
Hiking in the Northwest
Camping the Northwest
