March 25, 2008
Over the past 10 years we have been working hard to preserve the Mount St. Helens Area.  Our primary work has been with Elk, trying to increase habitat and reduce population. 

To date we have spread thousands of pounds of grass seed, distributed tons of fertilizer and planted over six thousand trees. 

All this has been accomplished with Washington State Department of Fish & Wildlife Grants, private donations, and countless volunteer hours. 
Throughout all of this we have followed the direction of the WDFW and have seen little to no positive results.  In fact we have seen a decline in habitat and an increase in elk mortality. 

The overall health of the herd has also been on a steady decline.  This has been confusing and frustration; it seemed no matter how hard we worked and no matter what we tried, we were not making progress.  Then I read “Playing God in Yellowstone -- The Destruction of America’s First National Park” by Alston Chase. 

This book is based on over 100-years of historical record and allows us to witness Fact not Fiction, Actuality not Theory.  Chase identifies the problems inherent in a bureaucracy dealing with science, when government’s perception and policies are more important than scientific facts. 

I would recommend that all of you who are truly committed to solving our habitat and wildlife problems read this book.   After you do you will see that the problems we face at Mount St Helens are manmade and not caused by nature, and the only way to solve those problems is with mans help.  

That is why we need to work together to look at the facts and come up with both short and long term plans.   I urge you to read, learn and then join with us to help solve the wildlife and habitat problem before it is to late.  With your help we can make a difference.

Mark Smith, Co founder and President of the Mt. St. Helens Preservation Society