EITW Property Watch Program

Clean up Projects:

The Issue:

Abuses like, dumping, vandalism and forest product theft are reducing public access to private lands.  Hunters, anglers, and outdoor enthusiasts who would frequent the rivers, streams and backwoods are being shut out because the few that have no respect.

This restricted access impacts WDFW Wildlife Managements ability to maintain healthy sustainable wildlife populations and prevents public access to traditional recreation areas.  Clean up days are a key aspect of the Property Watch Land Access project.

Project Purpose:

Our clean up projects are designed to demonstrate that conservationists/hunters are not the problem, we are the solution.  Involving local citizen volunteers, Landowners, businesses, other organizations and the WDFW we will create the social atmosphere needed to prevent these abuses. 

EITW Clean up Day Project Outline:

§       Identify receptive private landowners

§       Engage in a community outreach

§       Identify and train local project leadership

§       Schedule and advertise CORT & WDFW Volunteer Orientation classes

§       Schedule Clean up day

§       Organize and deploy volunteers to conduct clean up and sign posting

§       Complete documentation (i.e. Submit forms, write reports)

Project History:

In 2001 EITW directors began working with the Weyerhaeuser (Weyco) Twin Harbors Manager John Todd to address the dumping issues that threatened to close gates.  On a cold rainy December day we conducted the first EITW Clean up day.  54-EITW volunteers removed several tons of garbage and numerous loads of appliances from Weyco lands near Aberdeen; retaining public access to their lands.

Clean up projects were placed on hold; for several years as EITW developed the Property Watch program with the WDFW and Weyco.  Launched and funded in 2007 the Property Watch program conducted 3-clean up projects with Weyco managers in Regions 5 & 6, a total of 73-EITW volunteers removed approximately 10-tons of garbage from the woods.  Additional efforts were conducted on 10-WDFW public access sites; posting deterrent signage at each location.