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Eagles Nest and Ptarmigan Peak Wilderness Education Plans
White River National Forest 2005
The Eagles Nest Wilderness is located on the Holy Cross and Dillon Districts of the White River National Forest. The wilderness encompasses around 133,496 acres and was first designated as the Gore Range Primitive Area in the early 1930‟s. Ptarmigan Peak Wilderness was designated in 1993 and at 12,594 acres is the smallest on the White River National Forest. It is part of the Williams Fork Mountains and is located on the Dillon District of the White River National Forest. Both wildernesses offer opportunities for hiking, camping, horseback riding, and hunting. Since there are few water sources within the Ptarmigan Peak Wilderness, most fishing opportunities occur in Eagles Nest. Wilderness managers recognize wilderness education as a proactive management tool. Managers also know that educating wilderness visitors today can reduce or, in some cases, prevent resource damage in the future and save money in the long run. This education plan is a tool for identifying issues, assigning action items and tracking accomplishments related to the education of wilderness visitors and land managers on the importance and protection of the wilderness resource.
Eagles Nest and Ptarmigan Peak Wilderness Education Plans Goals: Increase awareness of wilderness history, philosophy, values of wilderness, and role of wilderness in ecosystem management. Instill and strengthen an appreciation for the value of resources in development of a wilderness ethic that results in informed decision making. Influence behavioral changes that promote the preservation of wilderness quality. Demonstrate and promote attitudes and behaviors appropriate to wilderness resource protection. Promote the sustainability of the wilderness ecosystem by ensuring its health, diversity, and productivity. Recognize the unique characteristics of wilderness that distinguish it from more traditional and environmental education efforts (historical perspective and cultural legacy, spiritual and emotional renewal, challenge and risk and preservation of natural systems). Provide accurate, accessible, and meaningful wilderness information via web pages, trailhead signage, booklets and brochures, and training of internal personnel with wilderness responsibilities, including VIS and frontliners. Collaborate with neighbors, stakeholders, other agencies, and publics in fosteringwilderness awareness through the development of partnerships.
Issues: The major resource and social issues identified for Eagles Nest and Ptarmigan Peak Wilderness in order of priority are: Uncontrolled dogs harassing wildlife, dogs, and people and posing a danger to themselves. Noxious Weeds replacing native plants. Lack of Wilderness Awareness and wilderness trip planning information. Too many people and improper LNT practices @ concentrated use areas. Lack of knowledge of the role of fire in wilderness ecosystems and the management of fire for resource benefit. Impact of Issues on Wilderness: Uncontrolled Dogs: Uncontrolled dogs are an increasing problem with conflicts between humans and dogs, resource issues with wildlife being stressed from dogs, and safety issues for the pets themselves. Despite a leash regulation, less than 50% comply with the requirement, complaints about uncontrolled dogs have significantly increased, and rescues for dogs on peaks have been necessary.
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Eagles Nest and Ptarmigan Peak Wilderness Education Plans Noxious Weeds: Weeds replace native and endemic plants, which may lead to erosion and alter food sources for livestock and wildlife. Infestations alter the naturalness qualities of wilderness. Lack of Wilderness Awareness and wilderness trip planning information: Visitors are often unaware of the significance of congressional wilderness designation and the values associated with that designation. They are often unaware of use and occupancy regulations that are designed to protect wilderness resources and visitors experiences. Too many people and improper LNT practices @ concentrated use areas: There are concentrated use areas that receive use that is above Forest Plan guidelines for campsites and social encounters. These sites are heavily impacted from overuse and improper backcountry camping and travel practices. Specific areas of concerns include: East Vail drainages (Gore, Deluge, Bighorn, Pitkin, and Booth Drainages) Boulder Lake, Meadow and Willow Creek drainages, and Cataract Lake. Lack of Knowledge on the Role of Fire: Since Eagles Nest and Ptarmigan Peak Wildernesses has not had a significant fire event in many years, recreationists and nearby landowners may not understand the role fire plays in the wilderness ecosystem. Well-intended but uninformed users may suppress natural ignitions. Key Messages: Your dog must be leashed in wilderness lands because dogs are an unnatural predator in wilderness ecosystems and when uncontrolled cause conflicts with wildlife, other visitors and their dogs, and pose a safety hazard to themselves. Responsible dogs owners make sure that their pets are fit enough for the hike, provide sufficient food and water, and alter their trip plans when conditions warrant. Noxious weeds displace native plants and disrupt wilderness ecosystems often reducing forage available for birds and wildlife. Wilderness areas are special places and often are fragile areas. To protect these areas for future generations, visitors should travel and camp utilizing Leave No Trace principles to minimize their impacts on the land. Fire is a natural part of the wilderness ecosystem and when appropriate conditions exist, it will be managed to benefit the resource. Visitors should report wilderness fires (911) but not attempt to put them out.
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Eagles Nest and Ptarmigan Peak Wilderness Education Plans
Target Audiences: Active Users: Local, in-state and out of state users. Neighbors: Adjacent land owners, local governments. Information Specialists: Internal - agency front-liners, PAO. External – concierge, local chambers of commerce.
IMPLEMENTATION
Issue Action Item Responsibility Target Date 6/15 Ongoing 6/15 Ongoing 6/15 7/1 6/15 Ongoing 6/30 Completion Date Monitoring Results
Backcountry Practices
Post Trailheads Backcountry contacts Train FS Crews Regulation Compliance Internet Train Volunteer Rangers
Wild Rangers Wild Rangers (including volunteers) Wild Managers Wild Rangers Boyst/ Cox Boyst/Ebbert Wild Rangers Wild Rangers Range/Boyst
XX% of THs XX Contacts XX Trained XX Violations XX Hits XX Volunteers Trained XX% of THs XX Contacts XX Trained
Noxious Weeds
Post Trailheads Backcountry contacts Train volunteers and staff on identification and documentation Backcountry contacts News releases and PSA Develop and post sign for peak climbing with dogs Post Trailheads Front Desk Backcountry contacts Internet Develop TH Sign Backcountry contacts Internal Presentations Fire Use Cross Cut Internet
Uncontrolled Dogs
Wild Rangers Wild Managers Boyst Wild Rangers VIS Wild Rangers Boyst/ Cox Boyst/Bowden Wild Rangers Wild Managers Boyst/ Cox
Ongoing 6/15 6/15 6/15 Ongoing Ongoing 6/15 6/15 Ongoing 6/1 6/15
XX Contacts XX News Releases XX Signs placed XX% of THs XX XX XX XX Contacts Contacts Hits Signs Placed
Role of Fire
Wilderness Awareness
XX Contacts XX Presentations XX Hits
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Eagles Nest and Ptarmigan Peak Wilderness Education Plans
References: Wilderness Act of 1964 The foundation of wilderness education can be found in the 1964 Wilderness Act. The Act states: “there is hereby established a National Wilderness Preservation System to be composed of federally owned areas designated by Congress as „wilderness areas,‟ and these shall be administered for the use and enjoyment of the American people in such a manner as will leave them unimpaired for future use and enjoyment as wilderness and so to provide for the protection of these areas, the preservation of their wilderness character; and for the gathering and dissemination of information regarding their use and enjoyment as wilderness.” National Strategy In 1991, a National Strategic Plan for Wilderness Education was developed. This plan states that the Forest Service is at the forefront of Wilderness management and uses education as a primary management tool. The Wilderness education program exemplifies the Agency‟s role as a wise steward of wild lands and will fulfill the Forest Service‟s mandate to preserve Wilderness quality. A high quality, fully supported wilderness education program, targeted both within the agency and at our publics, will: Foster knowledge and understanding of wilderness values. Influence behavioral changes that promote the preservation of wilderness quality. Instill and strengthen a wilderness ethic that results in informed decision making. Carry wilderness values to those who do not experience wilderness through visitation. Create a constituency, which supports Forest Service wilderness management. Forest Service Manual Direction 2323.12(2) - Policy Use information, interpretation, and education as the primary tools for management of wilderness visitors. The Chief’s 10-Year Wilderness Challenge Action Plan The 10-year challenge has set a goal of having all wilderness areas accomplishing 6 out of 10 BFES elements by 2014 and to have this make a difference on the ground. One of the 10 elements is the completion and implementation of a wilderness education plan for each wilderness.
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Eagles Nest and Ptarmigan Peak Wilderness Education Plans Rocky Mountain Region Action Plan The Regional Wilderness Education Action Plan is tiered from the National Wilderness Education Strategy. The Regional Strategy states that the future of wilderness protection lies in our ability to educate the American public to the values and benefits of wilderness. Wilderness managers recognize wilderness education as a preventive management tool. Managers also know that educating wilderness visitors today can reduce or, in some cases, prevent resource damage in the future and save money in the long run. The Regional Action Plan has three areas of emphasis in FY2005. These areas are: Education Plans, from the 10-year Wilderness Advisory Group (WAG) Challenge, 40th Anniversary Events, from the 10-year Wilderness Advisory Group (WAG) Challenge, Attending R2 Wilderness trainings
Prepared by: Beth Boyst, Wilderness Specialist, WRNF 2/2/2005
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