Film fest celebrates 50 years of wilderness
OUTFIELD – A free mini-film festival celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Wilderness Act is traveling through the Inland Northwest this summer.
The beauty, history and adventure of wilderness areas, the highest level of protection offered for America’s public lands, is featured in 10 short films totaling an hour of entertainment suited to all ages. Screenings include:
• Newport – Roxy Theater, 7:30 p.m., Thursday.
• Spokane – Mountain Gear Store, 2002 N. Division, 6:30 p.m., June 26.
• Metaline Falls – Cutter Theater, 7:30 p.m., June 27.
• Colville – Rendezvous Theater, 7 p.m., Sept. 25.
Films include: American Values – American Wilderness, Last Light, Sage Steppe, North Cascades Wilderness Ranger, and a production by GU senior students highlighting the Salmo-Priest Wilderness in northeastern Washington.
The films are being presented by Colville National Forest District Ranger Gayne Sears and partners from the Lands Council or Kettle Range Conservation Group, who will answer questions and hand out door prizes.
Info: Gayne Sears, (509) 447-7300.
Wilderness goal: 7 in the Blues
OUTFIELD – The welcome mat is out for all seven wilderness areas in the Blue Mountains that straddle the Washington-Oregon border.
The Blue Mountains National Forests (Malheur, Umatilla and Wallowa-Whitman) have introduced the Wilderness Passport Challenge to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Wilderness Act.
The passport has a page for each of the seven wilderness areas in northeast Oregon and southeast Washington — Wenaha- Tucannon, North Fork Umatilla, North Fork John Day, Hells Canyon, Eagle Cap, Strawberry Mountain and Monument Rock.
The free passports can be stamped at a Forest Service office when you venture out.
Info: Umatilla National Forest Headquarters in Pendleton, (541) 278-3716.
Clubs highlight trail projects
OUTDO – Volunteer trail projects past and future will be highlighted in a program by the Spokane Mountaineers and Washington Trails Association on Monday, 7 p.m., at the Mountain Gear Headquarters, 6021 E. Mansfield.
“The Mountaineers have a long history of giving back to our local trails,” said Lynn Smith, the club’s trail-maintenance program coordinator. “Whether working on our own or in conjunction with other organizations, we understand that stewardship goes hand-in-hand with recreation, and volunteers are a crucial part of the process – especially in this era of shrinking budgets.”
More projects are planned this year in Eastern Washington and North Idaho.
Clinic prepares dogs for rattlers
OUTSTRIKE – A rattlesnake aversion clinic for dogs, using live adult and juvenile snakes, put on by Natural Solutions of California ( rattlesnakeaversion.com) is set for June 27 in Lewiston. Cost: $70.
Preregister: (208) 413-3032 or email shellyd181@gmail.com.