Friends of the Eagles Nest Wilderness: About Us

MISSION

FENW's mission is to raise money, goods, and provide services to help the Dillon and the Holy Cross Ranger Districts of the White River National Forest maintain the the Eagles Nest, Holy Cross, and Ptarmigan Peak Wildernesses.

We achieve our mission through Stewardship, Education, Outreach, and Advocacy.

FENW fully supports responsible multiple use and Leave No Trace ethics.

BRIEF HISTORY

Friends of the Eagles Nest Wilderness started after M. John Fayhee, a Summit County journalist, went backpacking with two Wilderness rangers in the Eagles Nest Wilderness. Appalled by their lack of resources, he wrote an editorial about the issue.

Tom Jones, Jr., co-owner of Wilderness Sports in Silverthorne and a writer, asked John what they were going to do about the issue. A public meeting was organized and Friends of the Eagles Nest Wilderness became a reality. Currie Craven became Chairman of the Board, Ed Adams President, Fayhee Secretary, and Jones Treasurer. Frank Smith, Jr. and Wilderness Sports were instrumental in the group's formation.

When FENW formed, the Eagles Nest and Ptarmigan Peak Wilderness areas had all of three portal signs. With a lack of adequate funding, the U.S. Forest Service had a hard time keeping up with trail maintenance, visitor education, and cleaning up unsightly hunters' camps.

In 2006, FENW's Board approved offering expansion of our successful to the U.S. Forest Service for the portion of the Eagles Nest Wilderness in Eagle County near Vail. The USFS also needed help putting Wilderness Volunteers on the trails in Holy Cross Wilderness and FENW agreed to help there, too.

In FENW's first twelve years, through fundraising efforts, the group purchased and installed portal signs, bulletin boards, and interpretive posters on all official trails. FENW has also started a noxious weed treatment program to help the USFS eradicate noxious weeds in the Eagles Nest Wilderness.

FENW appreciates the generous support of The Summit Foundation and the Towns of Silverthorne and Frisco.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS in the last 14 years:

Provided over 13,704 hours of volunteer service, valued at $253524.00
Raised over $120,000 in funding and grants
Raised $24,700 from membership dues
Established a membership of 200 families, individuals, and businesses from Summit County, other parts of Colorado, several other states
Developed a website, www.fenw.org, with assistance from The Summit Foundation

Developed and implemented a Wilderness Volunteer Program

Started a noxious weed treatment program with the U.S. Forest Service

Expanded FENW's successful programs to help the Holy Cross Ranger District with the west side of Eagles Nest and with the Eagle County portion of the Holy Cross Wilderness.

FENW'S FOCUS AREAS

FENW accomplishes its mission through four focus areas: Education, Outreach, Advocacy, and Stewardship.

EDUCATION

Funded and installed trailhead Bulletin Boards with Interpretive Posters about the area, trails, regulations, and related information.
Funded and installed Wilderness portal signs.
Funded a Wilderness Interpretive Display at the Dillon Ranger District Office in Silverthorne.
Donated funds for several years to the U.S. Forest Service to employ a Wilderness Ranger for Wilderness hunting patrol during hunting season. Hunting patrol also benefits the Colorado Division of Wildlife.

OUTREACH

Sponsored the Rocky Mountain Youth Corps (youth and at-risk youth) on two successful projects.
- Middle Willow Creek bog bridge
- Slate and Squaw Creek bridge replacements
- Buffalo Mountain Trail reconstruction

Partnered on projects with: Summit Fat Tire Society and Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado
Provided Organizational Assistance to: Wilderness Stewardship Network, White River Wilderness Coalition, and Friends of Dillon Ranger District

ADVOCACY

White River National Forest Forest Plan revision process:

Special Areas Work Group
Travel Management work group
Helped organize Forest Plan Revision forum in Summit County

White River Wilderness Coalition:

Helped develop input to Congress on proposed wilderness additions for the White River National Forest as envisioned in the revised Forest Plan

Summit County Planning:

Winter Trail Management work group
Wildlife and Wetland Advisory Commission
Lower Blue Trails Technical Advisory group

STEWARDSHIP

Sponsor two or three trail projects each year. FENW provides the muscle to help the U.S. Forest Service:

Gateways in June - annual trail clearing and maintenance
Trail reroutes
Bridge construction and replacement
Campsite rehabilitation
Tool cache shared with other trail groups

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