About the Yakima/Kittitas Forest Watch Association
The Yakima/Kittitas Forest Watch Association is a group of citizens that care about keeping public lands open for generations. The group uses Off Road Vehicles to watch over the trails, roads and campgrounds on public lands as they are out recreating or doing volunteer work. The group educates users and reports rule violators a long with damage they see to the proper authorities. The group watches over many areas in Yakima and Kittitas Counties.
Yakima/Kittitas Forest Watch Association co-host public land work parties and helps with getting the supplies or materials needed.
Note:
We do not report vehicles on roads behind close signs unless we know for a fact that they do not belong there. We do not report 3rd party pictures on the internet. We do not report vehicle or traffic violations unless there is a danger or damage being caused. That is not what this association does. We are here to educate people on public land rules and to stop any damage we can to public lands.
The Yakima/Kittitas Forest Watch Association members donate their time and fuel but count on donations to get public land project supplies and educational materials.
Yakima/Kittitas Forest Watch Association Mission Statement
The Yakima/Kittitas Forest Watch Association's mission is mainly for Yakima and Kittitas Counties but not limited to.
Our mission is:
1. To educate the public on the rules and laws of public lands.
2. To assist public land agencies and law enforcement by reporting violators.
3. To help maintain and improve public lands.
Yakima/Kittitas Forest Watch Association History
In
September 2008 the
All Wheelers Off Road Club started a group called ORV Trail Watch where we offered free camera decals to people that wanted others to follow rules as they were. The idea with the decal is to get the word out someone could be watching so do not do anything that could get the areas closed. This is the same idea with our new improved
Forest Watch Volunteer Program.
In
April 2010 the members of the
All Wheelers Off Road Club that have been volunteering on Public Lands since 2005 got together to form a local
Non-Profit group to watch public lands in the counties they live in. This group was named, "
Yakima/Kittitas ORV Trail Watch Association" later to be called "Yakima/Kittitas Forest Watch Association". By focusing on just these two counties members believe they can get a better working relationship with public land users, the local agencies that run the public lands and with local law enforcement. The Yakima/Kittitas Forest Watch Association has added a few more things to this Watch group. The biggest one is what we call "Project Funds". "Project Funds" are separate accounts to collect funds for repairs and upgrades on different public land projects within the counties we serve. We keep local donations for local public land projects of their choice. Yakima/Kittitas Forest Watch Association has another Project Fund to spread Public Land Education nationwide. That Project Fund is called the
Forest Watch Volunteer Program.
Here are ways you can get involved helping keep the trails open -
Become a:
Member - For people living with in Yakima or Kittitas Counties.
Forest Watch Volunteer Program - A FREE program for everyone no matter where you live.
Donate - Donate to the Public Land Eduction fund or a project fund.
Volunteers helping to keep public lands open and promoting our cause -
