Foundation News

Doug was a mentor to many in the environmental movement, and deeply committed to his family, conservation, philanthropy, and getting young people from all backgrounds into the outdoors. We could always count on Doug for his straight talk, his strategic mind, and above all else, his passion for introducing others to the outdoors, especially his beloved Cascades.

Few people have left a larger mark on conservation and outdoor access than Doug. Just as he did on his hikes and climbs, Doug persevered tirelessly to help protect millions of acres of public land and to connect hundreds of thousands of Americans, especially under-served youth, to those lands for the healing benefits that they provide. Doug knew how important these precious lands were to his life and he wanted to provide the same opportunity to all Americans. You could tell that he got just as much joy, if not more, from taking out a poor kid from a rough neighborhood in Seattle than he did climbing with a US Senator. Giving back to his community and ensuring that everyone had the same opportunity was core to Doug's world view. More than a few times, I witnessed Doug well up with emotion when he talked about taking children out to the mountains for the first time.

Doug left his mark on countless people. For me, Doug was my climbing and hiking guide, an important mentor in my career, and a friend. Thousands could say the same thing and his passing has left a huge void for all those who care about conservation and outdoor access. Doug pushed me hard in the mountains and in my work, beyond what I thought I was capable of, and I am a better person for it. We are grateful to Doug for his friendship, his decades-long support for Sierra Club Outdoors, and his tireless leadership and dedication to lands conservation. 

Our thoughts are with his family, as we remember his adventurous spirit.  Doug seized every day, and he will be greatly missed. To honor Doug's legacy and to help us achieve his vision of outdoor access for all Americans, we have set up the Sierra Club Foundation Doug Walker Memorial Fund. To donate, click here. Proceeds will be used to get more Americans outdoors to find their joy in the natural world as Doug did.