Hiker Headlines: Staying Safe, Virtual Visit to Mount Rainier, Cascade Designs Makes Masks
It’s April 9: Many public lands (including some Seattle city parks this weekend) are closed through at least May 4. Learn about national parks from home. Cascade Designs joins outdoor community to make a difference. Weigh in on park names and North Cascades relocation plans.
It’s April 9: Many public lands (including some Seattle city parks and beaches this weekend) are now closed through at least May 4. You can learn about national parks from the comfort of your living room. Cascade Designs joins outdoor community in working to make a difference. Weigh in on park names and North Cascades relocation plans. Here’s some news you might have missed this week with everything else going on.
Stay safe: The governor’s order to stay home has been extended until May 4. Many public land closures have also been extended. (Seattle will be closing many city parks for the weekend.) We continue to encourage folks to do their part by staying close to home. And we’re working hard to keep our resources and Hiking Guide up to date with the latest closures.
Mount Rainier in your living room? For the next few Thursdays (starting tonight!), the National Parks Conservation Association is hosting 45-minute virtual talks with park history experts. Learn more about some of Washington's most treasured places, from the comfort of your couch. The events are capped at 300, so make sure to register using the Eventbrite links!
More helpers: Local gear company, Cascade Designs (the parent company of Mountain Safety Research, Therm-a-Rest, Platypus, PackTowl and SealLine) is now making medical masks to help meet the demand for supplies for health care workers. The Seattle facility will be able to make up to 20,000 masks daily.
What’s in a name? Are you feeling creative? Seattle Parks and Recreation wants to hear your ideas to name three new parks. One is in the International District and two are in the Lake City area. Name suggestions are due by May 1.
Make your voice heard: The National Park Service invites the public to comment on a proposed action in the North Cascades. The proposal is to reroute approximately 1,500 feet of trail, relocate a hiker camp and group camp in the vicinity of McAllister Camp on Thunder Creek Trail and construct a new administrative camp near Junction Camp. All of these changes would take place within the Stephen Mather Wilderness. The comment period is open until May 1.
Help science: Do you like watching birds? Then you’ll love this. Researchers at the University of Washington’s Quantitative Ecology Lab are asking people to help them with research to understand if birds are changing their behavior in the time of coronavirus. With so many people staying home and limiting travel, researchers wonder if there is an effect on birds and, if so, what. You don’t need any experience to participate.
Pick your favorite flora! Our cutest animal bracket was such a success (the fox won, by the way) that we’ve now moved on to the flowers of Washington. Head over to our Facebook page or our Instagram stories to cast your vote.
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