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May 2021

Why are you a part of our wild winter community?

(Photo taken on the ancestral lands of the Okanagan, Sinixt, Kootenai, Secwépemc, and other Nations).

“Because we love wild spaces and feel like the best versions of ourselves when we get to spend time in the backcountry. Winter offers us this outlet and a way to explore terrain that connects us to the earth, ourselves, our friends, and our relationship! We are so grateful for your work to protect these spaces for us and for generations to come. Your work to connect kids to these spaces is inspiring and hits home for us- both educators and expedition leaders that do the work because we love connecting youth to beautiful places.” From WWA Member Emily of Boise, ID.

Custer Gallatin National Forest Planning: Success!

The organizations and individuals involved in working on the Custer Gallatin Forest Plan have made huge strides over the past 5 years of planning, coming together to protect a landscape that is incredibly important to so many people. But it’s not over yet. The Forest Service is expected to sign the final Record of Decision this summer or fall, sealing the deal on the hard work of many Montanans to protect and sustain the Custer Gallatin.

The Grassroots Impact of Backcountry Film Festival

Winter after winter, WWA puts together the Backcountry Film Festival (BCFF) as a fundraising resource for our grassroots groups and other mountain community partners. El Sendero Backcountry Ski and Snowshoe Club is a non-profit organization based in Wenatchee, WA, and has been a WWA grassroots member since 2005 and a BCFF host since 2008. The funds raised by BCFF alone are what supports El Sendero throughout their efforts to advocate, preserve and manage non-motorized winter areas in the Wenatchee backyard.

Policy Update – April 2021

In this month’s policy update from our Policy Director, Hilary Eisen: a NEPA update, budget season in DC, funding the Forest Service, and call for backcountry footage.

SnowSchool Site Visit to Craters of the Moon

Join National SnowSchool Director, Kerry, and SnowSchool educator, Ilyse, on their trip to Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve (a SnowSchool site in Idaho). Workshops such as these provide a great opportunity to collaborate with local SnowSchool leaders to improve the integration of our winter curriculum, which helps create a more powerful place-based learning experience for kids.

Funding the Forest Service

The Forest Service manages 154 National Forests across the country, home to some of the best places to backcountry ski, snowshoe, cross country ski, and play in the snow. But as the popularity of outdoor recreation and use of public lands increases, funding for the Forest Service and other land management agencies has not kept up. Here’s our case for a bold investment to protect our National Forests.

You Give, We Give: Give TODAY to Win!

For our home state of Idaho’s annual giving week, Idaho Gives, we are giving back to those that support our work on public lands across the country. Anyone that gives over $100 is entered to win one of our “Idaho Gives(away)” prize packages from YETI, Osprey Packs and Outdoor Research! Full of backcountry swag from our incredible partners, these prize packages are our way of saying thank you. You can enter a specific giveaway or generally donate $100+ to be entered in all three giveaways. Must give by TODAY, May 6!*

Wild Winter Events

Don’t miss out on the following upcoming wild winter events hosted by us and our partners! Make sure to bookmark our website calendar or follow us as we post events in the next few weeks.

Gallatin Forest Partnership is holding a virtual open house to bring people up to speed on the Custer Gallatin forest plan revision. Hear from members of the Gallatin Forest Partnership to learn about next steps in the effort to protect the Gallatin and Madison ranges. Those who attend will also be entered into a raffle to win REI camping gear and a bike tune-up from Gallatin Alpine Sports. Register here!

Ski Kind Film Festival is available for viewing until the end of May – check it out and celebrate a whole season of skiing, riding, snowshoeing, gliding, whatever-ing kind!

#KEEPWINTERWILD

“Taking a moment to appreciate the view, the quiet, and the solitude.”

Read more at our Instagram profile.