Sponsor me and save a trail, get a map, win a book,

and help me protect a lake!

Greetings friends and loyal readers:

I have decided this year to participate in WTA's hike-a-thon in addition to the in-kind donation I give every year volunteering as one of the prizes to lead people on an all day fun hike. I'm hoping to raise $1,500 for WTA this year to help protect and enhance the trails that we love so much! To give you an added incentive to sponsor me (and to add a little more fun to this event), I will be giving away some of my books and thanks to the generosity of Green Trails Maps, I'll be giving away a few special series maps too!

Anyone who sponsors me at $25 or more will have their choice of a special series Green Trails Map (a $12 value).

Anyone who sponsors me at $40 or more gets a map and a membership in WTA (if you're not already a member).

Anyone who sponsors me at any level is eligible to make a little wager as to how many miles I will hike in August. Make a guess (send it to me at Craig@craigromano.com or on my facebook page "Craig Romano Guidebook author) and the person who comes closest to my August total without going over will win his or her choice of two of my guidebooks! How cool is that? I am researching two books and doing some mapping for Green trails to give you an idea of how much I'll be on the trail. Previous Augusts have averaged about 150 miles for me.

Finally, because I want to pay-it-forward; if you help me make my $1,500 goal I will personally donate $100 to the Skagit Land Trust’s Barney Lake campaign. WTA and Skagit Land Trust have partnered in the past on such great projects as Guemes and Vendovi Islands (both appearing in my new book, Day Hiking San Juan and Gulf Islands).

So, what are you waiting for?! Make a donation today!
Ready to get started? Just click "Sponsor Me" to make a donation.
 Thank you in advance for your generosity! And Giuseppe (one of two of my furry office assistants) says "Mille Grazie!"

(photo taken by Karen Sykes)

Hiking In Kind

I like to put my money (and occasionally other people's money too-more on that to come) where my boots are. I support a handful of recreation and conservation groups that work on behalf of keeping our trails and parks open and in good shape; and in purchasing new lands for conservation and helping to protect the ones we have already secured. In addition to making monetary donations, I often give in kind donations to help out some of my favorite organizations. Through in kind donations I can often leverage more money for these groups than I can provide on my own.

Four groups that recently benefited from my in kind donations are the Skagit Land Trust, Columbia Land Trust, Washington Trails Association and the Washington National Parks Foundation. In three of these cases I put myself up for auction to personally guide folks on some of their favorite trails, In addition to receiving my hiking service  for the day, my publisher throws some books in too! For the Columbia Land Trust we extended the auction to allow other folks to buy a spot on the hike that I lead. We raised $1,000 on that hike! At the Skagit Land Trust auction, my hike secured $250; and for the Washington National Parks Fund, my hike brought in $400.
I also spend the day hiking with one of the winning groups in Washington Trails Association's annual Hike-a-Thon. And my 50 for 50 run last year raised $4,240 for WTA.

Collectively all of these events that I participate in raise some serious money for our trails and special places. WTA's Hike-a-Thon raised $67,000 in 2011. The Skagit Land Trust's 2012 auction brought in over $100,000. Washington National Parks Fund's recent auction raised $65,000 and the Columbia Land Trust's auction last year brought in an amazing $150,000! In these time of fiscal austerity, it is nice to see that folks are still generous and care enough to continue protecting our special places and leaving a natural legacy. I hope you too are finding ways to give back to your favorite trails, parks and wild places!

(Photo-A great day hiking the Weldon Wagon Road Trail and raising money for the Columbia Land Trust-photo courtesy of the Columbia Land Trust)

Lee Mann

Rest in Peace

The Skagit Valley is a better place because of you

I learned last Friday that renowned outdoors photographer Lee Mann passed away on Wednesday, July 20th. The news was a shock to me as it was to others who knew him. Lee lived a remarkable life and I am glad that I had gotten to know him. An outstanding photographer who came from a hardscrabble upbringing--Lee was also an outspoken person when it came to politics, policy, and the environment--and a great champion of the environment-especially here in Skagit County-where he was a big advocate and mover in the Skagit Land Trust.

I met Lee shortly after moving to Skagit County in 2007. At a Skagit Land Trust function we got to know each other--and talk frankly and pointedly on politics, policy and the environment. I respected Lee because he was passionate about these things and not afraid to discuss and share his views. And while Lee and I didn't often see eye-to-eye on political issues, we had a respect for each other and we enjoyed some good spirited ribbing. Lee and I even had a little crossfire going on in our local newspaper. It was all good natured, even though some of our mutual acquaintances thought that we were having a feud.

Lee and I got to work together on the beautiful Skagit Land Trust coffee table book, Natural Skagit; one of my (and probably Lee's too) proudest literary accomplishments. One of Lee's stunning photos opens my chapter on the county's history and unique people. Very apropos as Lee was a solid Skagitonian who loved with all his heart his home and the beautiful environment that it encompasses.

I'm going to miss you Lee, especially with another election cycle coming-it was always fun talking politics and policy with you. At least we agreed that Dan Evans and Albert Rosselini were great governors and they just don't make them like these guys anymore. And they don't make them like you anymore either, Lee. You will be missed here--but also remembered-especially every time I visit or pass by a protected property in the valley. And my truck carries a  special Washington National Parks license plate-with your gorgeous photo-reminding me of your work and passion for the natural world  every time I head to a trailhead.

I know Lee that you didn't believe in God, one of the other areas we liked to discuss. And in a 2007 interview in the V Groove you where asked-

"If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?"
Your straightforward answer-
"It doesn't, but if it did I would expect a just God to say, "You have been an honest skeptic and tried to leave the world a little better place. Come on in!"'

You have indeed left the world a better place, Lee. Thank you. Your spirit will live on here in the valley you loved.

Live Free and Pony up for Conservation!

While I have been living in Washington State since 1989, my heart will always be in the Granite State. New Hampshire made me who I am-conservation minded, fiscally conservative, fiercely independent, and socially libertarian. Boy, that’s a mouthful! My home state has always been independent and libertarian. The state’s slogan is, Live Free or Die. It was uttered by General John Stark (a New Hampshire boy of course) at the Battle of Bennington during the American War of Independence.

In New Hampshire money isn’t wasted. There’s no state income tax. No sales tax either. The state looks for creative ways to solving problems and making life better on very little public funding. The state has one of the lowest crime rates in the country, and some of the best schools and health care facilities. It is neither particularly liberal nor conservative. It’s New Hampshire—a place where you don’t have to wear a helmet on a motorcycle, or wear a seat belt driving. You don’t need a license for a gun and you can get a marriage license if you’re gay.
When it comes to conservation, NH is bold and innovative. The state has been a pioneer in public-private conservation initiatives. Nearly 20% of the state’s land is protected. The state has the largest amount of federally protected land in New England. But the majority of the state’s protected land is through the private sector in land trusts and conservation easements. And almost all of that private land is open to the public.

I realized long ago even as a young idealist that it is true, that government is not the answer. We the people are. Of course we need government and we need regulations—and we need public land. But government simply cannot provide all of our conservation needs. I realized that back around 1985. I realized too that I had an obligation to help protect my planet. While I encourage my elected officials to do the right thing when it comes to conservation—and they do at times—I also realized that it is up to me and my fellow citizens to be involved, too. That is why I support land trusts and conservation groups. That is why I donate money and time to them. That is why I encourage all of you-liberal-conservative-moderate alike to get involved. Don’t wait for the government to buy that cherished open space threatened with development. You need to do it! Get involved with a land trust. They are some of the least-controversial conservation organizations around. You want to save land? Buy it! How American is that?

This year I received my 25 year lapel from the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests (SPNHF). Founded in 1901, SPNHF is now one of the country's most effective statewide land conservation organizations. They are dedicated to protecting the state's most important landscapes while promoting the wise use of its renewable natural resources. SPNHF has been responsible for: helping to protect over one million acres of open space in the state; promoting good land stewardship through education and by example; and advocating for public policies that encourage the wise conservation of natural resources.

They were the first conservation group I joined. I have been a member now for more than half of my life. I am very proud of this organization. They have done more to save and protect NH than any other organization or government. The state of New Hampshire and I owe them so much. I look at this organization as a model of what conservation organizations should be. There’s nothing extreme about them and they are made up of and supported by folks from all walks of life. They support protecting important wildlife habitat as well as maintaining sustainable natural resource industries, primarily forestry. They were one of the driving forces behind establishing the White Mountain National Forest too; the largest open space in New England.

The White Mountains and New Hampshire helped instill in me a strong conservation ethic. I thank SPNHF for all of the inspiration they have given me and I wish them the most success for the future. I plan on continuing to support them as well as the various other organizations that I have joined since here in my new home state of Washington. I actively support the Skagit Land Trust, Conservation Northwest, and Friends of the Columbia Gorge—three more organizations that are innovative and leading governments to do the right thing instead of waiting for the government to do it. Conservation starts with you. Get involved. Living free and living on a planet of plentiful parks and preserves unfortunately is not free. We have an obligation to put our money and our actions where our words and thoughts are.

Giving Credit where Accreditation is Earned

The Skagit Land Trust has joined an elite group of 78 Land trusts across America by receiving accreditation through the Land Trust Alliance.

According to the Land Trust Alliance:

Land Trust Standards and Practices are guidelines for the responsible operation of a land trust, which is run legally, ethically and in the public interest and conducts a sound program of land transactions and stewardship.

The Land Trust Alliance originally developed the standards and practices in 1989 at the urging of land trusts, which believe a strong land trust community depends on the credibility and effectiveness of all its members. Land Trust Standards and Practices was last revised in 2004.

The Land Trust Accreditation Commission, an independent program of the Land Trust Alliance, provides independent verification of the 37 indicator practices from Land Trust Standards and Practices that show a land trust's ability to operate in an ethical, legal and technically sound manner and ensure the long-term protection of land in the public interest

Indicator practices are chosen based on the following criteria:

•Responsible governance of the organization
•Protection of the public interest with sound and sustainable land transactions and stewardship
•Ethical operations
•Accountability to donors and the public
•Compliance with all laws, such as IRC §170(h) and §501(c)(3)

Visit the Land Trust Alliance website to learn more about this program.
Visit the Skagit Land Trust to learn more about them and about joining.

The Skagit Land Trust along with the Jefferson Land Trust are the only two accredited land trusts in Washington State. Good job Skagt land trust-now go out there and save some more land!

Guemes Mountain Saved!

Thanks to the Skagit Land Trust and a whole lot of concerned citizens, Guemes Mountain won't be sprouting any mega-mansions (or mini mansions for that matter) now or ever! Focus of a huge conservation campaign, the Land Trust was able to secure the $2.2 million needed to take this prime piece of real estate off of the market and add it to a growing array of protected properties within Skagit County! Huzzah! Heather and I, proud members of the Land Trust attended a guided hike earlier this year to tour the property. It's a gem and worthy of making it into a future edition of one of my books. While the property is now protected, much work still needs to be done; from removing invasive species to building a trail. Visit the Skagit Land Trust's website to learn more about the property and to see how you can get involved in helping out on this exciting campaign.

Happy Birthday

Skagit County!

It was 125 years ago today that a bunch of "uppity" Skagitonians won their "independence" from their Whatcom County overlords. The new county with just over 2,800 residents then set out to establish their new county seat. Flourishing and "established" La Conner lost that bid to "big ambitions" Mount Vernon. Today Skagit County has 117,000 residents- not exactly a backwater any longer, but in Western Washington terms still quite rural and lightly populated.

Now a bunch of "uppity" Skagitonians, me included are trying to make sure that our home doesn't grow too big-like our northern neighbor Whatcom with its 190,000 residents and our southern neighbor Snohomish with its *gulp* 700,000 people. Yikes! Through the Skagit Land Trust and the Skagitonians to Preserve Farmland we are trying to keep our home somewhat free of the urban sprawl that plagues points north and south. Care to join us? Consider joining one of these two organizations and get involved with helping to keep this wedge of green between Seattle and Vancouver BC a haven for agriculture, wildlife, and outdoor recreation.

(photo- Pioneer Park in La Conner)

Natural Skagit unveiled November 13th

This Thursday November 13th at the Skagit Valley Gardens in Mount Vernon, the coffee-table book Natural Skagit: A journey from Mountains to Sea will be officially launched. A compilation of the writings of 8 authors including moi, who penned the first chapter highlighting the area's people and history-and a collection of stunning imagery from local photographers including standout Lee Mann-this book is meant to celebrate the beauty of Skagit County and help protect it. One of the last rural regions on the I-5 corridor between Seattle and Vancouver, BC and one of the last agriculturally viable counties in Western Washington, development pressures are strong on Skagit County. The Skagit Land Trust is a driving force in protecting natural areas, productive farm and timberland and undeveloped river shore and shoreline in the county. I'm a resident of this beautiful region of Washington State. I am a proud member of the Land Trust. And I am an author on this beautiful book. I invite you to attend the launch and of course purchase a book. For more information visit Skagit County Land Trust.org