Why support Friends of the ACFL this spring?
With spring in full bloom, we are filled with gratitude for the support of friends – like you! - who make our work possible. We are delighted to share the growth and impact of our forest education programs and new offerings to come in 2024! But we need your help to continue to offer free programming for people of all ages to learn about, and care for, our amazing community forest lands.
Why should you support the Friends of the Anacortes Community Forest Lands this spring?
Meet the Barqueros! Margo, Eloise, Leo and their mom, Sarah moved to Anacortes in Spring of 2023, and Margo and Eloise have participated in many of our programs, including Forest Discovery summer camp, After School in the ACFL and our family hikes. Being new to the area, they were delighted to learn about the ACFL and all of the programs that Friends of the ACFL offers. “The family nature hikes and After School programs are fun and engaging for our family and a great excuse to get outside rain or shine, and meet new people who also care about the forest. I value how comfortable they’ve become in the woods and how much they are learning about nature!”
When asked about the importance of supporting our programming, Sarah didn’t hold back, “Having the programs be free to families is incredible. As a single mom with 3 kids, I’d never be able to provide this kind of outdoor education anywhere else! Plus since it’s right in our town, we go out on the trails most weekends and the kids love guiding me on the trails that they now know better than I do! My oldest can tell me all about edible plants, which ones to watch out for and more - she learned it all from Friends of the ACFL.”
When you donate to Friends, your contribution directly supports our impactful programs, including:
Kindergarten, 3rd grade, and 7th grade programming with the Anacortes School District
Seasonal after school programs, February and Spring Break Camps, and our summer Forest Discovery day camp
Partnerships with the Anacortes Family Center, Boys and Girls Club, and Project Impact summer program
Our flagship Community Hikes Program and year-round Naturalist Club
Meaningful volunteer opportunities including: Community science program monitoring the ACFL wetlands, quarterly work parties, and the Trail Ambassador Program
And we’re still growing! We are very excited to announce our recent move to a new location in the heart of downtown Anacortes at 404 Commercial Ave and in the Fall of 2024 we plan to open our Forest Discovery Center!
This small interpretive center will serve as a valuable resource for our community to learn all about our forest lands. Community members can come to the Forest Discovery Center and find:
Exhibits on the history of the ACFL, forest ecology, and additional youth art and science programs
Maps, hike recommendations, and guided activities
Updates on Friends’ upcoming community and youth events and programming
Your donation today will help us grow our free community programs for years to come.
Thank you for your ongoing support and commitment to Friends of the ACFL. We are deeply grateful for your partnership and look forward to growing Friends’ community presence and offerings together.
Warmest Regards,
Katie Earley, Executive Director
