WORK GOING AHEAD ON BLACK MOUNTAIN FORESTRY
CENTER
By Tom Pitman
Mt. Baker Experience, June 1999
Community leadership provided by individuals
such as those of local entrepreneur Wayne Beech, Land Consultant
Anthony Raab and Crown Pacific's Russ Paul help create and maintain
the positive spirit and community health that is so necessary in
today's fast paced world. These men are part of the coalition that
has created the Black Mountain Forestry Center in Maple Falls, WA.
The mission of the center is to proved a unique combination of education
with recreation and commerce, and balancing of public interest with
the enhancement and management of natural resources."
Bringing this institution to life has required
the diligent efforts of many dedicated individuals and interested
parties. Crown Pacific is willing to allow controlled access to
their lands in the Black Mountain area for forestry education. Whatcom
County parks is willing to allow use of an area near the Gerdrum
house in Silver lake Park for location of the Historic Saw Mill
and Museum to demonstrate the history of forestry and the wood milling
industry. Seed money has been supplied by Crown Pacific and also
through the Washington Community Economic Revitalization Team (WACERT).
The first year's budget is about $32,500 funded with WACERT's first
installment of $7,500, $20,000 from Crown Pacific and $5,000 revenue
from Forestry Tours.
The Mt. Baker Foothills Chamber of Commerce
participated in sponsoring a public introduction and presentation
of the center on May 20th this year at Maple Falls Town hall. The
public meeting was attended by local residents, representatives
from Whatcom County, representatives from the Mt. Baker ranger District
and from Crown Pacific. An excellent slide presentation by Laura
Jacoby, Hank Reasoner and Phil Cloward provided a nostalgic trip
back in time with slides from Galen Biery's (Laura's Grandfather)
Collection. The meeting was truly an enjoyable combination of history
and education.
