Teacher Mike Town held a key role in designating "wild Skykomish country" a Federally protected Wilderness Area

Did you hear the Wild Sky Wilderness Act passed Congress this Spring? "Wild Sky" is the first national forest wilderness designation in Washington State in 23 years. It will receive the highest protections given Federal lands. Mike Town, Redmond High School science teacher and activist was a key player in the six-year effort to pass the Act.

Mr. Town's June 14, 2003 testimony to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests tells alot about the Wild Skykomish County and Mike Town. As per his testimony, Mike has spent over 15 years hiking, sking, and snowshoeing more than 200 miles annually the Wild Sky country.

Mr. Town's opening remarks to the United States Senate Subcommittee are, as follows:

Within the boundaries of the proposed Wild Sky Wilderness are lush old
growth forests, high peaks over 6000 feet tall, breathtaking waterfalls,
1000-foot cliffs, pristine rivers and secluded alpine lakes. The proposal
protects over 25 miles of the Skykomish River, which provides habitat for
endangered species, world-class white water and renowned fishing. Other
watersheds in the proposal contribute to clean and safe drinking water for
the City of Everett and the forested slopes reduce the potential for downstream
flooding. Recreation abounds in the Wild Sky as backcountry skiers; anglers,
hunters, hikers, horseback riders and campers flock to this spectacular area.
This steady flow of visitors is critical to the economic stability of small towns in the Skykomish valley. "

Mike's testimony to the senators then goes on for pages and pages as he describes in detail the myriad of features and characteristics of the "Wild Sky" country he explored.
In an article in the Seattle P.I., 10/31/07 Mike stated:

In the past, wilderness has consisted solely of old growth forest at higher
elevations. Wild Sky protects thousands of acres of low-elevation old growth and
25 miles of salmon streams to make the land accessible for recreational use.
"This meadow country is a migration corridor that fits together with these
other wildernesses," said Mike Town, a science teacher at Redmond High School.
"We would have almost a continuous swatch of meadows across the Cascades. It
would take a lifetime to explore."

Senator Patty Murray was the primary sponsor and along with Rep. Rick Larson, the Act passed the full House 291 - 117. In Senator Murray's Press Release of 4/10/08 the following comments of Mr. Town:

Mike Town – a high school science teacher from Duvall, Washington – described
introducing his students to a wild salmon spawning site near the proposed Wild
Sky Wilderness. Because that river’s headwaters are in the proposed wilderness
area, the water is still so pristine that salmon are able to thrive. Today, it’s
one of the few places left in the Cascades where spawning salmon are still so
numerous, you could walk across the river on their backs. Mike called the river,
“one of the greatest spectacles in nature.” And he added, “I cherish the belief
that with federal protection for this area, my teenage students will have the
ability to share the experience of spawning wild salmon with their
grandchildren.”

The Washington Wilderness Coalition press release of the wilderness Act's congressional approval of April, 2008 gives details.

The Wild Sky Wilderness Act will designate 106,577 acres of national forest in east Snohomish County as wilderness. Key Facts are here. !

I spent many a summer backpacking the Enchantment Lakes of Alpine Lakes Wilderness before permits were required (because it was being "loved to death.") The Upper Enchantments were my favorite place! I can't wait to explore the Wild Sky Wilderness and find my favorite spot!