A Look at the Next 15 Years

January 2020 marks the Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness’s 15^th anniversary. Over this time we have brought together thousands of people from across Idaho, Montana and our nation to save the wild Scotchmans.  All year long, we will celebrate the community that you and others have helped build!

This community of supporters, from all walks of life, have one common passion: our wild backyard. We want a place for the kids in our lives to be free. To discover nature. To grow up wild.

Millions of years of wind, water and wildlife have sculpted the wild lands we have today. While it took nature a long time to create this wilderness, it may not always be wild. People who value wilderness need to stand up. Our voices and actions matter. Your support will guarantee the Scotchmans are wild for tomorrow.  

As we look into the next 15 years, I see a future with a strong and vibrant community in north Idaho and northwestern Montana. This community is a web. Everyone cares deeply about the land and how it defines their lives. No individual has only one “label.” Most folks have multiple interests. And we all care about each other, as well as the land.

In this future, our public lands provide the greatest good for all people.  The Scotchman Peaks are designated as Wilderness. Possibly alongside other lands in North Idaho and Northwestern Montana. There are places for responsible motorized use, “play areas.” Lands in need of restoration are actively managed through prescribed burning and timber harvest. Our natural resource economy is diverse and strong through robust and sustainable recreation and timber economies.

Our grown up children have good, local jobs. Their children have wild places to grow in where they can learn the wonders of nature. Mountain goats are wild. Hikers are safe. They both keep their distance. Quiet trails and motorized trails are designed to be safe and users are respectful. Wildlife is abundant, the hunting and fishing are good.  

Wilderness access is kept open by a crew of dedicated stewards. These volunteers have been trained in Wilderness First Aid, traditional tool use, and have the knowledge and passion to keep the Scotchmans Wild!   With our community of Friends supporting this future, we will all have a wilderness backyard to roam around in. Your grandchildren will be grateful and proud.