Dear Opal Creek Ancient Forest community,

We are living in challenging and uncertain times with much we value under threat. It was under that backdrop that I joined Opal Creek Ancient Forest Center as our interim executive director a few short weeks ago. Despite the obvious challenges of taking on a beloved place and organization during a life-defining pandemic, I couldn’t be more humbled by the opportunity to follow in a long line of stewards who stretch back for millennia to our current time. Most recent and notable is Katie Ryan who committed more than 15 years of dedicated service to the organization; without her we’d surely be facing even greater challenges.

A bit about me: I grew up in rural Washington state in a small town called Rochester, in view of Mt. Rainier. The mountain called me, and I went often. As a kid to camp in the woods and play on the snowfields; as a college student to hike into Indian Henry’s hunting grounds; and many times in my twenties and thirties to hike (eventually) all the way around the mountain on the Wonderland Trail, along with one unsuccessful and humbling attempt to summit. This is where I learned of, and fell in love with, old growth forests.

I was introduced to Opal Creek two years ago, and that visit took me back to my time at Mt. Rainier. It was instant love. For me, my time as a young person at Mt. Rainier set me on a path where wild places, mountains and rivers are a critical part of my life.  I am so happy to now have the chance to help carry on the great mission of Opal Creek Ancient Forest and introduce kids to this special place, so that they can know, love, and protect it for future generations.

Our team is working very hard to find ways to safely open up some of our normal services in 2020, and we hope to welcome old and new friends to Jawbone Flats this summer. Stay tuned for more on that. In this down season we have  completed construction of our outdoor classroom thanks to the generous contribution of labor from Green Hammer Construction, and tackled a significant amount of deferred maintenance and cleanup.

Through careful spending, an SBA-funded PPP loan and donor generosity we have found a narrow financial path through this crisis. Our forecasted operating funds are dependent on being open this summer season and as of now, we are feeling optimistic. That being said, if you are in a position to offer financial support or accelerate your planned end-of-year giving, it will make a real difference. You are the solid foundation that Opal Creek Ancient Forest Center rests on. Thank you.

I’m eager to meet more of our Opal Creek community so please don’t hesitate to reach out and say hello.

Gratefully,

Dwayne Canfield
Interim Executive Director
Opal Creek Ancient Forest Center