OREGON—The Forest Service took part in multiple community engagement events across the Pacific Northwest in celebration of National Public Lands Day Sept. Oregon saw events in Ashland, Cascade, La Grande, North Bend and Zigzag. Washington had events in Klickitat County and Washougal.
This year marked the 30th anniversary of National Public Lands Day, which began in 1994 to create connections between people and their public lands. This year's theme was "30 Years of Care and Commitment," which aimed to highlight the importance of caring for our public lands and fostering a sense of commitment to them.

In Washougal, a “Hike ‘n Paint with Forest Service Friends” event was organized by the Region 6 Community Engagement team. The event took place at the Nancy Russel overlook on Cape Horn trail in Columbia River Gorge. The Cape Horn trail is a specially designated landscape that is co-managed by the Forest Service. Nancy Russel was the key visionary behind the preservation of the National Scenic Area.

Staff and volunteers engaged with members from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Columbia Northwest and Slavic Community Center of the Northwest. Activities included a mindfulness-based and nature-focused watercolor painting, nature-themed bingo, meeting Smokey Bear and Woodsy Owl, and exploring hands-on learning tables.

“Time spent mindfully outdoors is linked to a whole host of incredible health benefits including stress reduction, lower blood pressure, lower levels of anxiety, depression and mental illness symptoms and improved cognitive function,” explains Lily Carey, interpretive specialist with Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.

“With that said, not everyone has the ability or time to sit in nature and meditate. It can be quite intimidating to do so. But painting or doing some form of observational art in nature offers the same benefits!” she added. “While painting, you slow down and observe what is around you. You take time to decide on colors and really focus on what you are looking at and creating. In this, participants are actually performing a type of moving, active meditation and getting all of those amazing health benefits.”

Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, Skamania County Noxious Weed Control Program volunteers and Forest Service staff provided participants with educational materials and resources to take home, along with Smokey- and Woodsy-themed goody bags. This event proved to be a key moment for partners and staff to engage with community members in the Pacific Northwest and connect with them about their local public lands.