Preserving Fire Lookouts, History, and Wild Places
Volunteer-led Restoration, Conservation, and Stewardship in Oregon and Washington.
In 1989, a small group of volunteers came together to rescue a piece of Pacific Northwest history. Using materials salvaged from Whisky Peak Lookout and other disused Forest Service structures, they rebuilt the lookout atop Sand Mountain in Oregon’s Willamette National Forest, which burned to the ground in 1968. That project became the foundation of the Sand Mountain Society.
Today, the Sand Mountain Lookout is operated in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service. One of only five remaining active fire lookouts on the Willamette National Forest, it is staffed by personnel who assist with fire detection, educate visitors, and help to protect the mountain’s unique volcanic landscape, a designated Geological Special Interest Area.
Skilled Restoration
Over the decades since its founding in 1989, the Sand Mountain Society has grown into a dedicated community of skilled, hands-on preservationists. Its volunteers have restored and stabilized numerous historic lookouts across the Oregon and Washington Cascades—often reusing salvaged materials from structures that could not be saved, and carrying forward a tradition of practical, conservation-minded craftsmanship.
Partnerships
Through partnerships with the U.S. Forest Service, the Oregon Department of Forestry, and the National Park Service, the Sand Mountain Society restores historic fire lookouts and undertakes a wide range of conservation projects on public lands, including soil rehabilitation, trail and wagon road maintenance, site monitoring, and other efforts that support long-term resource stewardship.
Conservation Philosophy
Guided by a simple philosophy—recycle, restore, and respect the wildlands and their past—the Sand Mountain Society shares its preservation ethic through hands-on workshops and partnerships across the region. Together with local groups, it works to protect historic lookouts and deepen public appreciation for the Northwest’s natural and cultural heritage. Read more…
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Some of Our Projects
