Gifford Pinchot National Forest

A rare view of Mount St. Helens as part of the new dome collapses. USDA Forest Service photograph by Ranger Scott Hinderman taken moments after a 3.2 magnitude earthquake triggered the event on July 18, 2005 at approximately 8:54 pm PDT. (Click here to download/view a 1.79 MB copy of this image.)

Welcome

The Gifford Pinchot National Forest is located in southwest Washington State. The Forest provides a wide variety of recreation opportunities and includes the 110,000 acre Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument established by Congress in 1982.

Forest News

• Forest Advisory Committee to Discuss Flood Damage, Northwest Forest Plan and Forest Timber Program.  A status update of the Forest’s timber program, a review of damage from last fall’s storms and a presentation on the Northwest Forest Plan’s Ten-Year monitoring report will be topics at a March 9 meeting of the Southwest Washington Province Advisory Committee. (February 16, 2007)

• Volcano Volunteers are Needed. The Mount St. Helens Institute and Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument are recruiting volunteers to assist with trail maintenance, visitor information, and climbing and backcountry management for 2007. (February 07, 2007)

• Gifford Pinchot National Forest Employees Receive National Award for Improving Elk Habitat.  Employees of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, along with a number of community partners, received national recognition from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation with the 2006 “Elk Country Achievement Award for Wildlife Habitat Improvement.” (February 02, 2007)

• Coldwater Ridge Visitor Center Shifts to New Winter and Spring Operating Schedule on February 1.  The Coldwater Ridge Visitor Center at Mount St. Helens, will reopen Thursday, February 1st operating Thursday through Monday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (January 30, 2007)

• Mount St. Helens Climbing Permit Sales to Begin February 1, 2007.  Thursday, February 1st will mark the beginning of sales of Mount St. Helens climbing permits for the 2007 climbing season. Climbing permits will be sold online, in-advance through the Mount St. Helens Institute at www.mshinstitute.org with fees and purchase procedures the same as last year. (January 30, 2007)

Getting Involved in Your National Forest

• White Pass Ski Area Expansion - A draft environmental impact statement which considers expansion alternatives for the White Pass Ski Area is now avilable for public review and comment.    (15 December 2004)

• Payments to Counties (RAC): The Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-393) provides an alternative to the former 25% formula which gives counties funds based on Forest Service receipts from logging, grazing, recreation, and other activities on national public lands.

• Regional Invasive Plant Environmental Impact Statement: The purpose of our project is to enhance the ability of Forests in the Pacific Northwest Region to protect native ecosystems from invasive, non-native plants. This action will build on the Region’s existing program by developing Forest Plan standards that allow for more effective prevention and timely management of invasive plants. 

• National Forest Foundation - The National Forest Foundation brings people together to protect our National Forests and Grasslands. As the nonprofit partner of the U.S. Forest Service, engaging America in community-based and national programs that promote the health and public enjoyment of the National Forest System. Helping the U.S. Forest Service fulfill its mission to "care for the land and serve people," the foundation works in close collaboration with local people and communities.

Keep informed of exciting happenings and opportunities on your National Forests by signing up for the National Forest Foundation tree-mail™ monthly e-newsletter.