Federation of Western Outdoor Clubs

The Federation of Western Outdoor Clubs (FWOC) was founded in 1932 to coordinate the preservation efforts of outdoor clubs in the western United States. Member clubs include conservation and outdoor enjoyment groups from Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, and Western Canada. FWOC promotes the use, enjoyment, and protection of America's scenic wilderness and outdoor recreational resources. Past FWOC efforts helped secure passage of the Wilderness Act and have made important contributions to the establishment of the North Cascades National Park, the Alpine Lakes Wilderness in Washington, and various wilderness areas in the national forests of Oregon and California.

From the description of Federation of Western Outdoor Clubs photograph collection, 1970 [graphic]. 1970. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 57728890

The Federation of Western Outdoor Clubs was formally organized in Portland, Oregon on May 1, 1932 as the Western Federation of Outdoor Clubs. It is a loosely organized group of outing clubs, primarily from the Pacific Northwest and California, that seeks to expand park systems to protect nature. Its agents and members helped secure passage of the Wilderness Act and the various clubs made important contributions to the establishment of the North Cascades National Park, the Alpine Lakes Wilderness in Washington State, and other wilderness areas in Oregon and California.

From the description of Federation of Western Outdoor Clubs records, 1931-1953. (University of Oregon Libraries). WorldCat record id: 57229088

The Federation of Western Outdoor Clubs (FWOC) was founded in 1932 to coordinate the preservation efforts of outdoor clubs in the western United States. Member clubs include conservation and outdoor enjoyment groups from Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, and Western Canada. FWOC promotes proper use, enjoyment, and protection of America’s scenic wilderness and outdoor recreational resources. Past FWOC efforts helped secure passage of the Wilderness Act and have made important contributions to the establishment of the North Cascades National Park, the Alpine Lakes Wilderness in Washington, and various wilderness areas in the national forests of Oregon and California.

From the guide to the Federation of Western Outdoor Clubs Photograph Collection, 1970, (University of Washington Libraries Special Collections)

Federation of Western Outdoor Clubs (FWOC): "As the American frontier closed in the late 19th century and a land ethic emerged founded on enjoyment and preservation of natural beauty rather than economic exploitation, people throughout the West began to gather in local outdoor clubs. In 1932, in reponse to the growing need for the cooperation and coordination of these clubs, the Federation of Western Outdoor Clubs (FWOC) was organized" (from FWOC pamphlet).

This coalition of hiking and outdoor recreation groups works to promote environmental conservation in the eight western states of Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington, as well as Alaska and Western Canada. Annual conventions, held primarily in California, Oregon, and Washington, have been held by FWOC since 1932, gathering delegates from member clubs to decide federation positions on conservation issues. Resolutions are submitted during and before each conference by members and club officials. The official resolutions are subsequently used to urge legislators, public officials, and private bodies to work for conservation goals. Annual reports are submitted by the federation's elected officials, and FWOC has also kept member clubs informed about new developments in the preservation of the West's natural resources through an annual periodical. Published as Western Outdoor Quarterly from 1933 to 1969, and then as Western Outdoors Annual from 1970 to 1975, Outdoors West continues as FWOC's official publication.

FWOC's mission is to create a strong regional alliance of organizations dedicated to environmental protection. Working together, member clubs helped secure passage of the Wilderness Act of 1964. They made important contributions to the establishment of the North Cascades National Park and the Alpine Lakes Wilderness in Washington State, as well as to the establishment of various wilderness areas in the national forests of Oregon and California. FWOC also helped to ensure the establishment of a national monument in the Sierra Nevada range to protect the remaining Giant Sequoia trees.

For some twenty years, FWOC shared a Northwest conservation representative with the Sierra Club to ensure further representation of the area's conservation goals. Michael McCloskey was first to hold the position (1961-1964), followed by Rodger Pegues (1964-1967). Brock Evans held the position from 1967 until 1973, when he became the Washington, D.C. representative. Roger Mellem was the acting Northwest conservation representative for 1973. Doug Scott continued the position until 1978, followed by the last representative, Jim Blomquist (1978-1980). The representative's main duty was to lobby for Northwest conservation through testimony at related hearings and through extensive correspondence with interested parties.

Natural Resources Council of America (NRCA): Records of the Natural Resources Council of America (NRCA) are also included in the collection (in Accession 1886-8). Founded in 1946, the NRCA is an influential conservation organization comprised of over 85 member organizations, including FWOC. The by-laws of the NRCA state: "In the belief that each person has an inalienable right to a healthful and life-enriching environment, the objectives of the Natural Resources Council of America shall be to advance management, protection and rational use of the Earth's natural resources so as to achieve the highest quality of living for present and future generations of humankind." Billed as the "Crossroads of Conservation," the NRCA publishes the Conservation Voice, a bi-monthly newsletter featuring an events calendar and employment opportunities, as well as providing members with leadership training and Conservation Round Table events.

Western Forest Environmental Discussion Group (WFEDG): Records of the Western Forest Environmental Discussion Group (WFEDG) are also included in the collection (in Accession 1886-9). Formed in 1976, WFEDG brought together representatives from environmentalist groups and the forest industry, including FWOC, the Sierra Club, the American Plywood Association, and the Potlach Corporation. The group's basic objective was to identify areas of agreement on western forest land issues and then take action. The group wrote letters to government officials, including the chief of the National Forest Service, on such topics as road construction, forestry research, and land management. Hazel Wolf organized WFEDG's Snag Committee (named for the remaining dead trees that play an important role in creating biodiversity in old growth forests).

From the guide to the Federation of Western Outdoor Clubs records, 1947-1995, 1963-1981, (University of Washington Libraries Special Collections)