INTRODUCTION

In our 46th Year

Since the spring of 1959, about 38,000 sixth grade students from Whatcom County have participated in a special opportunity to see the forest through the eyes of professionals who manage it. The goal is simple: to show young people the immense natural ecosystem of our timberlands and explain how we culture it, protect it, enjoy it and how we use its abundant resources.

By having this exposure at an early age, these young people are able to develop clearer understanding of the values, costs, and sometimes controversial issues involved in forest management.

Since its beginning, the annual tour has surely accomplished these goals and much more. Some of the earliest sixth graders who participated have grown up, raised families, and now their children have taken the tour. Two generations of experience has proven the importance of the very educational Whatcom County Sixth Grade Tour.

The continued commitment of Whatcom County educators in cooperation with public and private timberland managers assures that yet another generation of young people will receive this valuable gift of a day in the woods with forest professionals.

Our honor roll of contributors includes: Whatcom County School Districts, Hampton Affiliates, Georgia -Pacific Corporation, State Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, W.S.U. Cooperative Extension Service, Natural Resource Conservation Service - Whatcom Conservation District, Whatcom County Farm Forestry Association, Black Mountain Forestry Center and many individuals. Three individuals who have continuously contributed greatly to the Sixth Grade Tour over the years are Winton Wefer, Hank Reasoner and Bert Powell!