Bark Out: National Forests on Stolen Lands

This is a picture of a dark, foggy forest in the Zan Timber Sale.

What does it mean to describe land controlled by an agency of the federal government as “public land”? How did it get to be this way? This outing to the area around Mt Hood will build on the historical and current context that has been presented in the Bark Rad-i-cle Activist training. (Videos are available on Bark’s YouTube channel.) We will visit areas of the forest where we can consider the impact of settler-colonial environmentalism and examine our own relationships with this legacy. We will look at the ideas of “wilderness” and “leave-no-trace recreation” within this context.  

The outing will take place in an area accessible by car from Portland in about 90 minutes, exact location and driving arrangements will be sent to confirmed participants the week before the outing.

We will spend the day moving through in the forest, both on roads and off-trail, walking over uneven terrain, with down logs, possible mud and water. We will make numerous stops for discussion and personal reflection, please come prepared to keep yourself warm and comfortable in the weather.