No one can dispute that Central Oregon is growing. The impact is being felt in areas from housing to transportation. Recently, the conversation has included the collective impact of so many people recreating in our backyard wilderness areas.

To help protect the spirit of the Wilderness Act and what makes these places special, the Forest Service has proposed a permit system for accessing some of the most popular trails in the central Cascades wilderness areas. With some trails seeing an increase of up to 538 percent in the last several years, they are rightly concerned about the sustainability of our growth. While these forests may feel like a playground to us, they also provide a critically important home for many animals and have a right to exist beyond our recreational pursuits. Moving forward, we need to find a better balance between recreation and conservation.

A successful effort to address the overcrowding issue will need to be multifaceted, and some version of the proposed permit system is a necessary part of the solution. Ideally, any permit system should have a bare minimum cost to avoid pricing anyone out of access to the outdoors. Allowing flexibility in the permit reservation numbers and day-of options could also be helpful in retaining at least some room for spontaneity. In addition, more education on “Leave No Trace” principles and on our collective recreation impacts is necessary.

The discussion is currently focused on this proposed permit system, but we should not miss the chance to take a step back and look at the bigger picture. This conversation presents an opportunity to take a more holistic approach to some long-standing issues and better prepare us for Central Oregon’s continued growth into the future.

So why are so many people visiting the central Cascades wilderness areas anyways? Put simply, Oregon’s wilderness areas are often our most scenic, awe-inspiring places. Unfortunately, despite Oregon’s reputation of being environmentally friendly, we have protected very few of our natural treasures. Instead we’ve logged and built roads on much of the landscape.

Only 4 percent of Oregon has been protected as wilderness. Compare that to 10 percent in Washington and Idaho, and 15 percent in California. We have only one national park. With our increasing population, supply and demand is a relevant part of the equation. Correcting this imbalance by protecting more wilderness is something we need to encourage Sens. Wyden and Merkley, and Rep. Walden to act on.

While only a small fraction of our public lands have been protected, there are many amazing places whose fates hang in the balance. That could include expanding protections around Crater Lake or looking at a long-term plan for the Ochoco Mountains.

With overcrowding on the Deschutes National Forest, many people are looking for the next frontier in Central Oregon. While the Ochoco Mountains were once a secluded gem, they are seeing more pressure every year from those that seek a more off-the-beaten-path experience. From the old-growth ponderosa pine forests to wildflower meadows and scenic vistas, they are still a place for unparalleled wildlife and recreation.

As we take a comprehensive look at Central Oregon recreation, we would be wise to have a plan for the Ochocos.

Conservationists, equestrians, mountain bikers, hunters and anglers have come together to support a congressionally protected Ochoco Mountains National Recreation Area.

This would create a long-term strategy to thoughtfully guide recreation and balance it with conservation and wilderness protections.

With no end to our population growth in sight, we should proactively plan ahead to avoid reacting when the trailhead parking lots are overflowing and wildlife have been displaced.

At the end of the day, let’s not take for granted the amazing wilderness areas we have in our backyard. Let’s do a better job of encouraging Congress to protect more of them, while doing our best to recognize our impact and Leave No Trace when we visit.

— Sarah Cuddy is the Ochoco Mountains coordinator for Oregon Wild.