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Mission Statement

The Mission of the WPEF shall be to promote the conservation of whitebark pine ecosystems by supporting restoration, education, management, and research projects that enhance knowledge and stewardship of these valuable ecosystems.  Through the cooperative organization of WPEF, and networking with other organizations, government agencies, and individuals, we will be able to do together what we cannot do alone.

The objectives of the WPEF shall be to:

I   Promote general understanding and appreciation for the ecological value of whitebark pine, and recognition of the accelerating losses of whitebark pine ecosystems rangewide.

II  Form a membership base of like-minded individuals who provide basic  financial support for operational needs and promote the mission of the WPEF.

III Inform and educate the public and natural resource agencies of the values of whitebark pine ecosystems and threats to their perpetuation.

IV Support research to understand whitebark pine ecosystem processes and  functions,

V Test and promote possible strategies for restoration.

VI Provide financial assistance and technical support for restoration efforts. WPEF shall both facilitate and lead whitebark pine conservation and restoration efforts.

VII Form associations with other organizations, governmental agencies, and individuals to further cooperation and collaboration in education, research,  and restoration projects related to whitebark pine ecosystems.

In order to accomplish these objectives, the activities of the WPEF shall be to:

I  Encourage and support restoration activities in whitebark pine ecosystems by providing information, expert advice, and supplemental project funding.  

II  Develop and deliver educational tools for communicating information about the values of whitebark pine ecosystems and their restoration needs.

III Bring public attention to the challenges facing whitebark pine as opportunities arise, through interviews and articles in various media outlets.

IV Publish the WPEF newsletter, Nutcracker Notes, at least twice yearly to  communicate new information concerning whitebark pine and WPEF activities to the membership. 

V  Provide other sources of communication (web site, field trips, conferences, etc.) that serve as a forum for whitebark ecosystem research and     management concerns.

VI Identify research needs for whitebark pine restoration.

VII Garner financial support from government agencies, non-governmental       organizations, foundations, and concerned individuals.

VII Sponsor workshops, training sessions, and symposia to disseminate current research and management findings on whitebark pine ecology and restoration

IX Encourage managers of high-mountain resorts such as ski areas to recognize their unique opportunity to restore whitebark pine forests  between ski runs, and to draw public attention to the ecological values of whitebark pine ecosystems.