Raven Ranger Station Project

Raven Ranger Station provides a perfect location for discussion of modern forest management techniques in a western pine forest. In 1997, Communities for a Great Northwest (CGNW) entered into a working agreement with the USFS in restoring some of the Historic Register potential buildings. CGNW is a 501c(3) education and information organization formed in 1988. In 1999 and 2000, Historic Raven hosted two groups of AmeriCorps volunteers for the summer months. These volunteers helped in building restoration and trail construction.

In 2001, CGNW signed a ten-year partnership agreement with the Forest Service that will enable necessary private investment to turn the site into a Natural Resource Learning Center.

The site currently offers a tourist/public information center, self guided interpretive trails for day hikes (including one handicapped accessible trail), camping sites for day use, and a location for ground based seminars on natural resource cultures and management for schools, civic groups and the media. CGNW has restored the original, 1932 CCC built Ranger’s House with capabilities for learning sessions and retreats.

The objective of the project is to enhance knowledge of natural resource relationships. Through this effort CGNW will work to ensure public awareness and education on the working forest and human, environmental and wildlife productive coexistence.

In May of 2004, these efforts earned one of four inaugural Preserve America Presidential Awards! The Presidential Award was given to honor exemplary accomplishments in the sustainable use, preservation, and integration of cultural or natural heritage assets into contemporary community life. Award winners display innovative, creative, and responsible approaches to showcasing historic resources in communities. In an Oval Office ceremony on May 3, President and First Lady Bush presented the President's Award to Provider Pals© executive director Bruce Vincent. Provider Pals© was nominated by the Kootenai National Forest Supervisor Bob Castenada, who also attended.