November 14, 2025
Seattle and Leavenworth will host public events to discuss the current crisis in the Enchantments.
"Enchantments: What Comes Next?" is the theme at both meetings, where Mat Lyons, executive director of Wenatchee-based TREAD, and Gregory Scruggs, Seattle Times environmental reporter, will talk about the critical problems in the Enchantments and possible solutions for them.
Forest Service cutbacks and unregulated day users have created a crisis in the Enchantments, where too many people and no official presence are damaging this popular but fragile area. Volunteer groups have struggled to fill the vacuum. Next year’s solutions are open for discussion. Some proposals could limit access to the area, which might include the Eightmile Lake trailhead.
The Leavenworth event is slated for December 11. See the event page for details.
The Seattle event, scheduled for December 16, at 6:30 pm, will be at REI’s downtown store (222 Yale Ave N) in its North meeting room.
Mat Lyons has been discussing proposals with a number of interested parties in Chelan County. Reporter Gregory Scruggs covered the Enchantments issue closely this past summer and recently traveled to Colorado to learn about steps taken there to address heavy usage in the Maroon Bells.
Both the Leavenworth and Seattle events are open to the public without registration.