PROGRESS: A new chapter for the wild Scotchmans

There is something special about having wild places in our backyard.

The Scotchman Peaks give our communities so much. They are a place to hike, hunt, fish, explore, reconnect, and breathe a little deeper. They are where kids discover mountain goats for the first time, where families spend time together, and where so many of us go to find a little peace and quiet.

At Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness, our mission remains simple: to pass on a Scotchman Peaks Wilderness to our children and grandchildren. We do this by bringing people together through a shared love for these wild places.

This year marks an exciting new chapter for our organization as we welcome Rose Olson as our new executive director. 

Rose first joined Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness in 2023 and has spent the years since helping connect people to the outdoors through our volunteer-led hikes, volunteer programs, and community outreach. She cares deeply about these mountains and the people who call this region home. As executive director, Rose is excited to build on the strong foundation of this organization while continuing to bring new people into the work of caring for the Scotchmans.

That work continues to be powered by volunteers.

Out on the trails, it has been another busy year. With the help of dedicated volunteers, we continued to clear trees, repair trail tread, and keep trails open throughout the Scotchman Peaks region. These trail maintenance days are some of the most important stewardship work we do. They also happen to be a lot of fun! A little sweat equity goes a long way when you’re working alongside neighbors in the woods.

Our Trail Ambassador volunteers will also return to Scotchman Peak this summer, chatting with hikers about Leave No Trace principles and how to safely share the landscape with the mountain goats that call the peak home. As more people discover the beauty of these mountains, these conversations help ensure that wildlife and recreation can continue to coexist.

Of course, one of our favorite ways to connect people to our wild backyard is simply by getting outside together. Our free, volunteer-led hike series continues to grow, bringing both new and longtime residents out to explore waterfalls, summits, wildflower meadows, and quiet forest trails. For many participants, these hikes are their first introduction to the area.

We’ve also continued our youth education efforts through our Winter Tracks program, where local students learn outdoor skills, wildlife identification, and the basics of caring for the natural world around them. Seeing kids discover the outdoors is always one of the highlights of our year.

Behind the scenes, we remain engaged in collaborative conversations with other local stakeholders about the future of our public lands. These partnerships help ensure that recreation, conservation, and local communities all have a seat at the table.

None of this work would be possible without the many volunteers, supporters, and partners who give their time and energy to the Scotchmans. As our region continues to grow and trail use increases, that community support is more important than ever.

These mountains have given so much to the people who live here. Together, we can make sure they remain a place where future generations can explore, roam, and discover the wild backyard we’re lucky to call home.

Learn more at scotchmanpeaks.org.

    A Scotchman Peak volunteer is seen cutting a tree during a recent project.
  

    A Friends of Scotchman Peak Wilderness volunteer is pictured on the trail.