Nov. 13, 2006
Sims pays tribute to Harvey Manning
Long-time trails and wildlands preservation advocate leaves legacy of habitat protection
"With the passing of Harvey Manning, we have lost a visionary giant in our struggle to save and protect our region's last best places. While I am filled with a profound sadness to learn that Harvey is gone, I am also heartened by the legacy that this conservation icon has left behind.
"Five years ago, King County honored Harvey with a 'Leader in Habitat Protection' Green Globe award for his decades-long effort to protect and restore fish and wildlife habitat.
"Harvey recognized the potential for an interconnected system of open spaces, forests, farms, habitats and trails stretching from the Cascades to the shores of Lake Washington. Harvey's singular vision is embodied within the Mountains to Sound Greenway plan, and in our other open space preservation programs as well.
"Harvey founded the Issaquah Alps Trails Club in 1979, the group that sparked the groundswell of support that led to the creation of Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park, which is considered one of the nation's truly great county parks.
"Through his series of popular hiking books—which are valued heirlooms that have been passed down to generations of Pacific Northwest hikers—Harvey inspired an innumerable number of conservationists to follow in his thoughtful, forward-thinking boot steps.
"The most fitting tribute we can give Harvey is to continue his tireless conservation efforts, and to find the joy and happiness that he took whenever he went for a walk in the woods.
"While there will never be another Harvey Manning, I am confident that his legacy will live on through our commitment to preserving the kinds of places that generated so much of his passion and perseverance."