Help Us Preserve Kitson Springs

HELP US PRESERVE A HISTORIC HOT SPRINGS TO ESTABLISH A CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND SUSTAINABILITY!

Good people,

Deep in the mossy forests of Oregon, there is a very special place known as Kitson Springs. It is a secluded property of 157 acres hidden in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains close to the town of Oakridge. This land is comprised of forested hillsides, peaceful meadows and a campground, with the lovely Hills Creek running through it. Geothermal-heated water flows out of an old concrete structure, cascading into the emerald pools of the creek below, creating a hot springs oasis! Please make a donation today to help us preserve this important area.

We believe this place, Kitson Springs, with its fascinating centuries-old human history, will be the means of creating a beautiful outdoor gathering place for the Oakridge community and beyond!

Many of us feel overwhelmed at times when confronting the numerous problems in this country. However, we do know that taking action to make positive changes on a local level has always been key to helping the environment and the people around us. We believe that cultivating strong, cohesive, and resilient communities and maintaining healthy forests will best prepare us for our future.

We have been afforded a once-in-a-lifetime chance to realize a dream that aligns with these ideals in a truly inspiring way, and we are asking for your help to make it a reality.

Our specific goals are to preserve the forest on this land for the sake of its natural beauty and native habitat for so many species, to provide environmental education opportunities, to celebrate the intriguing history of the site, and to create a truly restorative gathering place that will be culturally enriching for our community and visitors alike.

As a group of environmental and community activists with strong ties to this region, particularly the Oakridge area, we have come together to save Kitson Springs from logging and commercial exploitation. With a deep commitment to our community and a love of the natural areas surrounding us, we have a vision that with your support will enable us to purchase and preserve this extraordinary property. Our objective is to ensure the conservation of the land while creating a beautiful space that will benefit our community and the environment in a myriad of ways.

Along with the therapeutic possibilities of the hot springs themselves, the expansive property has great potential for workshops on sustainable skills, alternative building, and ecologically sound forest management practices. We envision hosting events to benefit critical environmental and social justice causes and collaborating on projects with local craftspeople and small businesses to support the regional economy. The forests and creek would provide recreational opportunities for hiking, tree climbing, boating, fishing and swimming. The meadows would be ideal for a variety of activities, from wild crafting to picnicking to disk golf. The new Kitson Springs would provide a spectacular venue for local festivals and celebrations strengthening our community's solidarity and resilience.

We feel it is more important than ever to come together to support and nourish each other. We believe Kitson Springs is an ideal place to cultivate our dream of contributing something meaningful to our small corner of the planet.

Kitson Springs could be a paragon of conscientious stewardship and a sanctuary to nurture the spirit of cooperation and kindness that characterizes our community.

We need your help to make this happen. We hope that you will see the merits of our vision and be inspired to contribute towards helping us save, restore, and realize the exciting potential of this special place.

Please donate if you can and what you can, and spread the word by sharing this web page! We are initially raising funds for a down payment on the Kitson property to give us time to apply for grants and to appeal for further donations for the full purchase price.

If you have questions or would like more information, our website is www.kitsonsprings.org.

Thank you kindly for your consideration and support,

Friends of Kitson Springs

James Cleavenger

Michael Donnelly

Jim Flynn

Mick Garvin

Hazel

Lorin Lindner

Elsa Palmer

[Working in cooperation with the Oakridge City Council, Friends of Kitson Springs is finalizing its nonprofit status and is currently able to provide tax deductions under the fiscal umbrella of the League of Wilderness Defenders.]