Public Education Programs
Protect · Restore · Educate
Public Education Programs
NFC believes that the unique projects that the Board of Directors support are both significant and provide an avenue for public engagement that is lacking. Historic properties, well-known landmarks, hot springs, and unique attractions allow a level of public engagement that is unique. Teaching the public about the past, engaging them with onsite exhibits, and showing people a direct connection to the past can help educate the public on the need to protect historic sites and the unique environments that NFC works in.
Hot Lake Interpretive Engagement Project
Hot Lake has a long history of use even prior to being a stopping point on the Oregon Trail during settlement in the mid-1800’s. NFC, working as the Friends of Hot Lake public education project will include volunteer lead tours of the Hot Lake property and development of a Hot Lake Museum.
Bagby Hot Springs Interpretive Engagement Project
Bagby Hot Springs has a long and interesting history that can still be told today. As a remote location, the public must drive hours into the forest, then hike 1.5 miles to the hot springs. This enables an experience that helps the public understand what generations of people had to endure to live, work, and endure to reach these locations 100+ years ago. Working as The Friends of Bagby Hot Springs, NFC has events at the Bagby Trailhead with an interpretive booth to engage the public about historic use, wildlife, environmental impacts, and geology. At Bagby Hot Springs volunteers engage the public about historic use and the historic structures and historic trails in the area.
Snow Adventure
Forest Management Program
NFC’s Forest Management Program focuses on sustainable recreation and forest use and management. NFC has three projects, Bagby Hot Springs Management, Austin Hot Springs Management, and participation in the Nationally recognized, award winning, collaborative group, Clackamas Stewardship Partners. NFC is committed to the responsible use of the forest by the public and land managers that allows recreation and sustainable forest practices. Bagby Hot Springs is estimated to receive over 100,000 visitors a year. NFC’s projects underway on-site have already improved the services on-site, provided education, preserved buildings and history, reduced impact, and reduced crime. Clackamas County Sheriffs Dept. had 35-45 crimes per year reported at Bagby Hot Springs before NFC started its projects. In 2008, only 2 crimes were reported through August. The good changes and increase in family use has lead to a series of good media stories about Bagby and NFC in The Oregonian (4/07) and an episode on OPB’s Oregon Field Guide (10/08).
- Clackamas Stewardship Partners (CSP)
- Austin Hot Springs Preservation
- Land Acquisition/ Conservation Easements