About Wallowa Resources
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| Staff and board members visit with
Forest Service Chief Dale Bosworth over a potluck dinner. |
Established in 1996, Wallowa Resources works through partnerships with a diverse group of people to design and realize a new, healthier, rural community. In 1997, the Wallowa County Court passed a resolution establishing the Wallowa County Chamber and Wallowa Resources as the lead agencies implementing the Wallowa County Strategic Plan for Economic Development.
In particular, Wallowa Resources was given leadership for the primary goals relevant to natural resource management in the County. In 1999, Wallowa Resources was amongst the first groups in the nation to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the United States Forest Service which commits both parties "to work cooperatively to demonstrate new watershed management approaches that improve and restore the ecosystem health of the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest." In January 2000, the Wallowa Community Forest Stewardship Program was designated as a National Reinvention Laboratory with the specific goal of "uniting the public, conservation and industry groups and government agencies in a common goal: the restoration of the forest ecosystem to secure the social, cultural, ecological and economic health of Wallowa County."
Community leaders have been involved with the organization since its inception
and the volunteer base is steadily increasing - nearly 600 receive the quarterly
newsletter, 70 regularly attend educational forums sponsored by the organization,
and 45 volunteer time working with on-going projects. As Wallowa Resources
portfolio of field projects has expanded, constructive working relationships
have developed with a broad range of state and federal management and regulatory
agencies. The breadth and knowledge of the general membership, Board of Directors
and staff has been critical to the achievements to date, and provides a foundation
for even greater future success. Support for the organization within the
local community continues to grow. Contributions from local residents during
the past fiscal year exceed 16% of the total budget.