Pennsylvania Elk Watching and Nature Tourism Project

Forest Learning Center, Washington

Dick Ford, Manager, 360-414-3439

Size: 68,000 acres

Ownership: Weyerhaeuser

Location: Mt. St. Helens

Elk population: Variable numbers of Rocky Mountain Elk

Principal viewing season: Summer

Overview

An elevated elk viewing area overlooks the Mt. St. Helens blast zone. Viewers stand on a cliff and can view elk far below with the aid of spotting scopes. The viewing area is part of an elaborate visitor center that takes visitors on a journey tracing the eruption of Mt. St. Helens, and Weyerhaeuser’s salvage, recovery and reforestation program. The center also has a volcano theme playground for kids and a replica forest complete with a full elk mount.

According to the center’s manager, both the mounted elk and an outdoor bronze elk statue are popular and helpful to tourists–80-90 percent have never seen an elk. The site attracts visitors from all 50 states and numerous foreign countries. Although most visit to see and learn about the volcano, viewing elk for the first time adds significantly to the experience, even when the animals are relatively distant.

Three porcelain enamel signs interpret elk and their natural history at the viewing overlook. A brochure called "Elk on the Mountain" tells the story of how the elk survived and returned after the eruption. Volunteers help visitors spot elk and answer questions. An impressive 75 volunteers, mostly retirees, staff the center for six days weekly.

In addition, Weyerhaeuser distributes ElkWatch curriculum for school children. This material is adapted from Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation materials. The center also runs a 9-minute version of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation’s longer film, "Elk of the Northern Herd." The film is short and extremely popular, even though the elk featured are in Yellowstone.

Key Points

1. Interpretive material should also target uninitiated tourists–those who have never before seen an elk, and who may not be sure what an elk actually is.
2. Viewing sites that give a more distant view of elk can be effective, especially if mounted spotting scopes and volunteers are on hand to help spot the animals and interpret their behavior. This has significance for the potential adoption of Kettle Creek as an additional viewing site, because it maintains significance distance between viewers and elk.
3. A successful volunteer program is integral to a positive wildlife viewing experience.
4. A mounted elk or statue gives viewers new to elk a sense of the animal’s elk’s size and proportions. It also serves as a photo-opportunity for tourists.