Jason Bausher

Co-Founder of Sportsmen for Wild Olympics

“I’m an NRA Life Member and avid hunter who grew up in Aberdeen. The Wild Olympics Campaign is working to protect South Quinault Ridge and expand access for hunting along Queets Ridge. Not a single mile of road on Olympic National Forest or in Olympic National Park would be closed by the proposal. If you can drive there now, nothing in the Wild Olympics Proposal will change that.”

Mike Hank

Veterans Conservation Corps

“As a veteran, I have proudly fought to protect our nation’s values. Now I am advocating for preserving the fish, wildlife and backcountry beauty of the wild Olympics. Their snow-capped peaks, ancient forest watersheds and rivers are part of America’s proud natural heritage, and it is our duty to protect them for future generations.”

Roy Nott

Aberdeen Businessman

“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.”

Michelle Sandoval

Mayor, Port Townsend

“For Port Townsend, the almost 20,000 acres of untouched, roadless forests in the Big Quilcene watershed proposed for wilderness provide natural filters for clean and safe drinking water to our residents. Literally minutes away, they also provide protections for a diverse ecosystem and majestic playground, which encourages the world-class recreational opportunities that add economic benefits to our local economy.”

Roger Blain

National Park Ranger, Retired

“I was a National Park Ranger for 26 years and I had the pleasure of working in National Parks in Virginia, Maryland, Florida, Maine, California, Washington and a short time in Alaska. I support the Wild Olympics Campaign.

The idea of the National Parks was a vision for the future to protect the very best scenery, wildlife, unique geological features, culture and history that our country has to offer. We have learned from our management mistakes in the past that ecosystem management is the only way to preserve intact natural systems which protect wildlife, watersheds and salmon. I believe the Wild Olympics Campaign, in fact, supports and creates jobs through tourism because people will be attracted to wilderness, wild and scenic rivers and Olympic National Park. Having lived in many Park Gateway Communities I have seen the benefits to communities which embrace their proximity to National Parks.”

Dave Bailey

President, Greywolf Fly Fishing Club; Vice President, Rainshadow Chapter, Trout Unlimited

“As a local fisherman, I understand the importance of preserving healthy fish stocks on the Olympic Peninsula. What used to be the salmon capital of the world, for example, has become barely productive enough for any sport or commercial industry. We must protect our rivers in every possible way, and the watersheds that feed them!”

Bill Taylor

Vice President, Taylor Shellfish

“The two largest shellfish hatcheries that supply seed to the West Coast industry are located on Hood Canal. Well over 150 jobs are provided in Hood Canal alone by the industry, not including the indirect jobs such as processing, sales and shipping. By protecting Olympic Peninsula forest and river watersheds we ensure clean and safe water so that shellfish companies can continue to grow and further benefit the economy and ecology of Washington state.”

Tim McNulty

Author (Olympic National Park: A Natural History) and Conservationist

“The Wild Olympics Campaign offers durable, long-term protections for the Olympics’ last unprotected wilderness, free-flowing rivers, and critical fish and wildlife habitats. Saving these areas as Wilderness, Wild and Scenic Rivers, and National Park additions will ensure that their incredible beauty, diversity and wildness remain for future generations.”

Ron Gold

RG Forestry Consultants

“I have run my own forestry contracting firm out of Mason County for 26 years — completing dozens of projects within Olympic National Forest. The Campaign’s proposed wilderness would protect old-growth and mature forests. By emphasizing wilderness in upper watersheds, the proposal could help generate local jobs while restoring and protecting habitat for salmon and steelhead.”