History
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Purpose: Black Mountain Forestry Center strives to improve people's relationship with the "World of Wood". It balances public interests with the enhancement and management of natural resources through a unique combination of education, conservation, recreation, and support for local wood-related cottage industries. BMFC promotes modern forest practices, public relations, tourism, and local economic growth in a formerly timber based community. It establishes and supports environmentally sensitive forestry education in the local school systems, and serves as a resource base of forestry information for the general public.

1. Maintain, enhance and operate a Forestry Museum and Interpretive site in partnership with Whatcom County Parks.
2. Develop an Interpretive Center and Demonstration Forest to be used for natural resource education.
3. Offer public tours of: the Forestry Museum, timber harvest demonstration site and historic saw mill, 25,000 acres of tree plantations on commercial and small lot forestry lands, old growth forests, log home manufacturers, and Christmas tree farms.
4. Expand a Forestry Library, including a bookstore, and Information Center.
5. Expand ongoing natural resource educational programs for educators, the general public, and school students- elementary through university and professional levels.
6. Assist in the recovery of a former timber based economy by supporting and promoting opportunities for local wood workers and their products as well as tourism activities.
7. Assist the scientific community as it studies forest ecology and it’s influence on such fields as medicine and pharmacology, wildlife and habitat, watershed analysis and management.
8. Long-term goal to establish a "Forestry Camp" with rustic cabins, meeting center for l00 people and campgrounds. This facility will be used for natural resource education.

The foothills of the Cascade Mountains in Whatcom County have been the home for a timber-based culture since the turn of the century. It is now a region in economic transition from resource extraction based industries to the new service based economy for the next century. Black Mountain Forestry Center will preserve the heritage of these communities, while utilizing that historical information to help establish new uses of the local forest resources. This will bring tourism dollars, wood based industries, and educational programs into the area. With a multifaceted approach, the treasure of the forests can be sustainably used and appreciated in today's modern world while also helping to rebuild rural communities.

Once past the start up phase, BMFC is confident of its ability to be financially sustainable. With strong support from government, public agencies, private individuals, and industry, important physical resources were in place at the close of 1999.

Public tours, visitors to the Museum and Demonstration Site, and educational programs will provide a substantial cash flow beginning in the year 2000. Additional revenues are expected as the Forestry Camp is completed.

The entire project is located on or adjacent to Whatcom County's Silver Lake Park. With 120,000 guests per year, a certain percentage of visitors to Silver Lake will pay to see the Museum and Demonstration Site, and/or stay at the Forestry Camp. These cash flows will commence in the spring of 2000. The project will become increasingly more self-supporting in the following four years, with complete sustainability projected by the year 2005.

Since financial accountability is a requirement of the project, all fiscal records will be utilized for analysis. Feedback from many school districts and universities will allow BMFC to mold specific, workable programs that will be under yearly scrutiny by educators. Tours will be tailored to public response, and records will be kept on the reception and effectiveness of specific formats. Industry leaders and local wood workers will supply evaluation and feedback. Local Chambers of Commerce will participate in evaluating the effectiveness of the project.

• Supplies educational and recreational facilities at Silver Lake Park
• Assists in the staffing, running, expansion and programming of the Center
• Supplies land at Silver Lake Park for "Museum & Demonstration Logging Site"
• Allows access to other forested parklands in Whatcom County
• Acts as governmental agency partner for cooperation with funding organizations

• Allows controlled public access to Black Mountain and other active areas for forestry education
• Assists in educational programs
• Supplied $20,000 "seed money" and services in early phases

Wayne and Danna Beech

• Supplied initial $10,000 "seed money" for project
• Assist in most phases of Center design, tours, facilities
• Possible conversion of their 35 acre forest into educational camping facility

• Three year grant of $35,000

• Educational assistance
  
• Possible use of (surplus) Maple Falls Elementary School
• Use of their 15 acre tree farm for education
• General educational planning
• Forest education tours for children

World Forestry Center - University of Washington - College of Forest Resources - Olympic Natural Resources Center Washington State University - Sustainable Development Institute - Cooperative Extension Western Washington University - Whatcom Community College - Bellingham School District - Simon Fraser University, Vancouver B.C. - Women in Timber - Deming Log Show - Department of Natural Resources - Trillium Corporation - Battelle Corporation - Brian Boyle, former head of DNR - Foothills Chamber of Commerce - Port of Bellingham - Whatcom County Council - Whatcom County Executive - Whatcom County Department of Planning & Community Development - Rep. Jack Metcalf ....and many others