The Sand Mountain Society’s conservation philosophy is rooted in a deep, personal connection to the fire lookouts and wild landscapes of the Pacific Northwest. Some of our long-time members first experienced these places as children—spending summers atop lookouts staffed by parents or grandparents—and have returned as adults, committed to preserving the structures and the surrounding forests that shaped their formative years. This personal connection infuses every restoration project with care, skill, and respect for both history and habitat.
Historic preservation experts and devoted history enthusiasts alike have guided the Society’s approach. Early and enduring influences include the late Roxie Metzler, a high school English teacher and fire lookout staffer from Springfield, Oregon. Roxie, who had fond memories of summers spent with her grandmother at Green Peter Lookout, was a stickler for detail and a master at inspiring volunteers. She led the “Friends of Huckleberry” in restoring Huckleberry Mountain Lookout near Oakridge, Oregon and shaped the Society’s approach to hands-on preservation. Her legacy endures, and the Society will honor her in 2026 with the inaugural Roxie Metzler Award, recognizing volunteers who embody her dedication and spirit.
Other major influences include the Heritage professionals in the agencies with whom we chose to work closely. We are very fortunate to have two retired USFS Heritage Program Managers on our Board of Directors (Rick McClure and Janet Joyer), plus additional members who are retired Heritage professionals.
Like Roxie, many members—including the Society’s founder—bring a lifelong passion for the lookouts themselves. These volunteers blend personal experience with practical skill, ensuring that the Society’s projects reflect both fidelity to historic structures and stewardship of the surrounding forests. Through this combination of personal commitment, craftsmanship, and reverence for the natural world, the Sand Mountain Society safeguards a heritage that is at once cultural, ecological, and deeply personal.