On behalf of Anthony Lakes Mountain Resort as well as the outdoor recreation community, I wanted to express my gratitude to the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest and specifically District Ranger Kendall Cikanek and Snow Ranger Jay Moore. While I have personally worked with multiple different forests across the nation and have worked in partnership with the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest over the past 13 years, the working relationship with District Ranger Cikanek and Snow Ranger Moore has been refreshing and very much appreciated to say the least. 

Working with the Whitman District over the past few years, we felt it important to acknowledge a couple of key members and contributors of our community. It is amazing how much of a difference one good leader can make and the great impact it can have on a community. Understanding the numerous layers the Forest Service has to navigate to accomplish any one task, Kendall Cikanek and Jay Moore have gone above and beyond with their efforts to improve outdoor recreation in our region.

These efforts have not been held to just outdoor recreation, either. I am sure a lot of you have seen the uptick in timber-related activities throughout our local forests. While I fully understand that a significant amount more needs to be done, the uptick in timber sales, thinning and overall forest cleanup can be attributed to District Ranger Cikanek. 

While the Forest Service is usually the first to be blamed for almost all things negative on our forests, it is imperative to recognize the hard work and passion of these two individuals and the positive differences they have made in working relationships as well as the positive economic impact of their actions. Anthony Lakes Outdoor Recreation Association’s primary business operates under a special use permit with the USFS and under all USFS guidance, which gives us significant experience working with the forest and with different forest personnel. Cikanek and Moore have made remarkable differences.

The work of Cikanek and Moore has had a direct, positive impact, both economically speaking as well as in the livability of our communities.

Peter Johnson

President, Anthony Lakes Outdoor Recreation Association