This document is part of the Wilderness Interpretation and Education Toolbox on http://www.wilderness.net/toolboxes/

Stanislaus National Forest

Wilderness Education Plan

2003-2004

The purpose of Wilderness Education on the Stanislaus National Forest is to introduce various audiences to:

  1. The values and purposes of the National Wilderness Preservation System
  2. The goals of Wilderness Management and the Wilderness Act
  3. Specific methods of protecting the Wilderness
  4. Understanding and complying with regulations
  5. Understanding and adopting Leave No Trace skills
  6. Helping visitors to plan ahead and prepare
  7. To create stewards and champions of the Wilderness

Wilderness Education Programs will emphasize four main audiences: Forest Service Staff and Volunteers, Wilderness Visitors, “partners” (i.e., permittees, youth groups, outfitters and guides) and more distant wilderness “stakeholders” (urban publics who may only “use” wilderness by contemplating and drawing value from the knowledge that it exists).

Programs for Forest Service Staff and Volunteers

Front Desk Staff

Emphasize education of Front Desk staff in each District Office or other Wilderness information and Wilderness permit writing location that deals with Wilderness Visitors in the topics listed above.

1.  Organize a Front Desk staff Wilderness Training in Spring to bring all new and returning Front Desk Staff to a sufficient understanding of the topics above to effectively interpret them to the Wilderness visitors and other members of the public. Two day training delivered by the Wilderness Coordinator and Wilderness Education Coordinator and other members of the extended wilderness team.

2.  Encourage at least the “lead” Information Specialist in each District Office to become a certified LNT Trainer by taking one of the courses offered locally. Encourage other Front Desk staff to also become certified. Include backpacker and horse packer training.

3.  Provide opportunities for Front Desk staff to “hike along” on Wilderness patrols with experienced Wilderness Rangers to provide them with “hands on” experiences.

4.  Have the Wilderness Coordinator and/or other experienced Wilderness Staff work alongside Front Desk staff at each District Office occasionally during the season to bring fresh field information to the reception desks.

Other Forest Service Staff

Encourage other Forest Service Staff to participate in programs 1, 2, & 3 above and to attend appropriate Wilderness Training.

Stanislaus Wilderness Volunteers

Support and assist in the annual training for SWV and the new volunteer mentoring program.

Wilderness Ranger Rendezvous

Assist the Sierra Nevada Wilderness Education Project in the planning of the first Sierra Nevada Wilderness Ranger Rendezvous and encourage participation by Stanislaus National Forest Staff and volunteers. Same for 2004.

Programs for “Partners”

Local Youth Camp Permitees

Contact Camp Liahona, Lair of the Bear, Camp Jack Hazard, Boy Scout Camp Hi-Sierra. Work with camp staff to design and deliver programs tailored to the needs of the camp and the Wilderness they visit. Possible offerings:

1.  LNT Trainer Certification class for camp staff leading backpacking or hiking trips.

2.  Other LNT training to staff during the camp’s staff training.

3.  Presentations to staff and/or campers on LNT and/or Wilderness Stewardship.

4.  Other programs designed in consultation with the camp staff.

Pack Stations

Provide at least 4 hours for training of all Pack Station staff in LNT and understanding wilderness regulations. Involve Wilderness Riders in delivery of training for Pack Stations.

Youth Groups

LNT and/or Wilderness stewardship trailhead talks by Wilderness staff. Offered by Front Desk staff to wilderness permit applicants. Design a form to request such a presentation to be forwarded to the Wilderness staff for scheduling.

Programs for Visitors

1.  Investigate ways to improve Stanislaus National Forest web site to help visitors plan ahead to minimize impact on the Wilderness.

  1. Link to Sierra Interagency Black Bear Group (SIBBG) web site.
  2. Develop “permit quiz” to deliver some key LNT messages to everyone who seeks a permit application “on-line”.
  3. Make recreation opportunity guides (ROG’s) available “on-line”.
  4. Check web site periodically for up to date and improved Wilderness content.

2.  Conduct LNT classes at Columbia College

  1. LNT Trainer Certification class
  2. Backpacker/Horse packer training with Wilderness Riders at Baker Station Learning Center.

3.  Start Wilderness Speakers Bureau

  1. For grade school through college class presentations.
  2. Coordinate with “youth groups” talks above.

4.  Investigate products for sale at Front Desks with Wilderness stewardship theme (ie. Calendars, posters, books, AV products )

5.  Develop a voluntary use Bear Canister rental program in concert with Three Forests Interpretive Association (3FIA) and the Forests Interpretive Team.

Other Wilderness Education Activities

1.  2004 40th anniversary of the Wilderness Act! Develop ways to draw public attention to the 40th Anniversary. Local displays, interpretive programs, news releases etc.

2.  Work with Strawberry Music to weave 40th anniversary theme into their Fall Strawberry Music Festival at Camp Mather.

Written by Brent Pettey, Volunteer Wilderness Education Coordinator

Approved by Bob Wetzel, Wilderness Coordinator

Last Update: 10/28/03