Welcome to The Wild Olympics Campaign!
Protecting our Ancient Forests and Rivers for Future Generations
On January 16, 2014, Senator Patty Murray and Representative Derek Kilmer introduced legislation to establish new Wilderness and Wild and Scenic River protections on the Olympic Peninsula. If passed, the bill would protect the first new Wilderness designations (more than 126,000 acres) on Olympic National Forest in nearly 30 years and the first ever Wild and Scenic River designations (for 19 rivers and their tributaries constituting 464 miles of river) on the Olympic Peninsula.
The Wild Olympics Campaign is thrilled with this news and we enthusiastically support the Wild Olympics Wilderness & Wild and Scenic Rivers Act and will continue to work to advocate for permanent protection of these wild places for future generations. The legislation would provide durable, permanent safeguards for the Peninsula’s most priceless natural treasures; our towering ancient forests, free-flowing rivers, critical fish and wildlife habitat and our clean water. We are incredibly grateful for Senator Murray’s and Representative Kilmer’s steadfast leadership and tireless efforts in advancing this landmark legislation. It is truly a historic giant step in the long history of Olympic Peninsula conservation.
Peninsula residents support protecting our last remaining wild forest and rivers. A bipartisan poll found overwhelming support for the Wild Olympics proposal among likely voters in Washington’s 6th Congressional District. Nearly two out of three (64 percent) likely voters support the Wild Olympics plan proposed by Rep. Dicks and Sen. Murray. Twenty percent of the district voters polled said they were undecided. Only 15 percent are opposed.
Over the past five years, Wild Olympics has been working with neighbors in every single community on the Peninsula to build support from diverse local voices, listen to concerns and get feedback to shape the proposal. More than 10,000 Peninsula residents have written letters or signed our petition, and more than 450 Peninsula businesses, farms, faith leaders, hunting and fishing groups, elected officials, conservation and civic groups support Wild Olympics. We will continue this outreach as this legislation makes its way through congress.
We invite you to give us your feedback in the comments section and sign our online petition.
Thank you for your interest and we hope to hear from you!
Connie Gallant
Quilcene, WA
The Wild Olympics Campaign Chair
Take Action Now for the Wild Olympics!
Supporter Testimonials
“As a businessman I believe that protecting our natural environment is a key to providing steady and sustainable income to our rural economies. Here in Grays Harbor, salmon sport fishing, clamming, bird watching and other forms of outdoor recreation all contribute to our local economic health and are critical to attracting and retaining the highly skilled employees that growing, technology-based companies like ours will require.”
Roy Nott (Aberdeen, WA): Aberdeen Businessman
Wild Olympics News
Walking in the Proposed Wild Olympics with REI and Patagonia
It was a crisp day in September when carloads of local leaders and business owners from around the Olympic Peninsula began arriving at the Skokomish Grange. From all walks of life, the small crowd began to socialize, eager to start hiking along the always-immaculate... read more
Rain and Weather in the Wild Olympics
Water is the lifeblood of the Wild Olympics. Each drop of rain that falls from the gray skies gives the region another dose of beauty, injecting it with a watery personality that makes the peninsula world famous. Lush, green and teeming with life, the Olympic... read more
Exploring the Seven Wonders of Wild Olympics
In the far upper left corner of the contiguous United States, in a land known for towering trees, gray skies and heavy rain, a magical wonderland of wilderness beauty is waiting for you. The wet and wild Olympic Peninsula is where the best outdoor adventures can be... read more
Hitting the Destination Highlights of the Wild Olympics With Our New Map!
The wilderness of the Olympic Peninsula has become the best destination for those looking to experience breathtaking beauty through outdoor recreation. Tucked away in the often-overlooked corner of the Pacific Northwest, the Olympics have inspired countless... read more