FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Summer Hiking Series Kicks Off This Weekend

Group combines outdoor adventure and activism

Outings scheduled across the state to focus on wildlands and waters protections.

The conservation group Oregon Wild is calling on Oregonians to break out their hiking boots in an effort to help protect Oregon’s wildlands. The statewide group advocates for public lands protection and this weekend kicks off a summer-long exploration of the natural beauty of the state. Oregon Wild Summer 2009 will feature hikes all across the state, including into newly designated Wilderness areas in the Mount Hood National Forest and to proposed Wilderness along the famed Rogue River in southern Oregon. In all, the group will lead more than a dozen outings. The first hikers hit trailheads on June 19 with opportunities to get outdoors extending to August 21. Sign up for hikes at www.oregonwild.org/about/hikes_events.

“We like to think that our hikes are unique,” said Rob Klavins, who coordinates the hiking series when he’s not advocating for protections for Oregon’s roadless areas. “These trails are open to all Oregonians to explore, but if you come along with Oregon Wild we’re going to plug you into the effort to make sure these recreation havens get protected.”

Oregon Wild Summer offers an outdoor adventure for people of all ages and interests, including a family friendly outing less than 3 miles in length to visit old-growth groves along the way to Memaloose Lake southeast of Estacada. All of the hikes are rated according to difficulty (Easy, Moderate, or Strenuous), allowing participants to choose the hike that best matches their abilities. More rugged hikes are five miles or longer.

While all Oregon Wild Summer outings provide a great chance to see water, wildlife and wildlands, some have a specific ecological focus. Celebrated naturalist Wendell Wood will lead two wildflower identification hikes around Mount Hood. The summer culminates with a summit hike to the top of Mount Bailey on August 21. All Oregon Wild Summer outings are led by experts who are knowledgeable about the ecological importance of each area. The trips offer a great opportunity to learn more about Oregon’s unique beauty and how to protect and sustain it.

A majority of hikes are free and open to the general public, with some hikes reserved for Oregon Wild members only and some requiring a small fee. To find out more about membership, contact membership@oregonwild.org or call 503.283.6343 ext 213.

Find out more about Oregon Wild Summer 2010.

See a list of hikes by region.

###