November 19, 2013 Dinner Meeting
Wild and Scenic River Campaigns of the North Cascades
Wendy McDermott, Associate Director, Washington Conservation Programs, American Rivers
American Rivers protects wild rivers, restores damaged rivers, and conserves clean water for people and nature. Since 1973, American Rivers has protected and restored more than 150,000 miles of rivers through advocacy efforts, on-the-ground projects, and an annual America's Most Endangered Rivers™ campaign. Headquartered in Washington, DC, American Rivers has offices across the country and more than 100,000 supporters, members, and volunteers nationwide.
Rivers connect us to each other, nature, and future generations.
Washington State currently only has six designated Wild and Scenic Rivers but more than 100 are eligible for designation, according to the U.S. Forest Service and National Park Service. By comparison, Oregon has 59 Wild and Scenic Rivers. Half of the Washington’s eligible rivers are in the North Cascades, known for its world-class scenery, recreational opportunities, pristine forests and rivers. American Rivers is working to protect 150 miles of the North Cascades wild rivers and approximately 48,000 acres of adjacent riparian areas through Wild and Scenic River designations including reaches of Illabot Creek in the Skagit basin, the Nooksack River, and the Middle Fork Snoqualmie and Pratt Rivers in the Alpine Lakes region. Few rivers anywhere in the country can match the quality of recreational, scenic, and ecological resources these rivers provide, and their inclusion in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System will protect their water quality, free-flowing nature and recreational opportunities they provide.
Bio:
Wendy McDermott works to protect Washington state’s wild rivers by working with local citizens, businesses, recreation and conservation organizations, and elected officials to build support for permanent protections such as Wild and Scenic River designations. Wendy joined American Rivers in 2013. Prior to joining American Rivers, Wendy worked for San Juan Citizens Alliance as their River Program Director in Durango, Colorado, from 2011-2013. She was the Executive Director of High Country Citizens’ Alliance (HCCA) in Crested Butte, Colorado from 2003-2009 and was HCCA’s Outreach and Administrative Director from 2001-2003. Prior to HCCA, Wendy worked as a river instructor for the Colorado Outward Bound School. In 2008, she spent three months in Chile’s Patagonia volunteering with the Patagonia Sin Represas (Without Dams) Campaign and in the future Patagonia National Park. Wendy has served on the boards of The Maya Nut Institute, Colorado Rivers Alliance, and FutaFriends.
Wendy works to protect Washington state’s wild rivers by working with local citizens, businesses, recreation and conservation organizations, and elected officials to build support for permanent protections such as Wild and Scenic River designations.
Education
B.A. in Biology from Western State College of Colorado, candidate for an M.S. in Resource Management from Central Washington University
Favorite River: El Rio Baker, Chile
Event Details:
November 19, 2013
Social 5:30-6:15
Dinner 6:15-7:00
Presentation 7:00-8:00
Pyramid Alehouse
1201 First Avenue
South Seattle, WA 98134 (206-682-3377)
http://www.pyramidbrew.com/alehouses/seattle
Students: Free
Member: $30
Non-Members: $40
Membership is required to register for events.
Cancellation Policy: WA-AWRA will fully refund the registration fee if cancellation notice is received within 5 days of the event.
