Wilderness News Releases

"Americans from all parts of our country will respond with enthusiasm to President Barack Obama's proclamation recognizing this September as National Wilderness Month," said Mike Matz, executive director of Campaign for America's Wilderness.

"Over the past 45 years, the Congress has enacted numerous laws extending wilderness protection to vast swaths of public lands," President Obama notes in his proclamation.  "These laws have enjoyed bipartisan support.

LBJ signs the Wilderness Act, Sept. 3, 1964

Today marks the 45th anniversary of a conservation landmark - the Wilderness Act.  Signed into law on September 3, 1964 by President Lyndon Johnson, this groundbreaking legislation has been used by citizens from coast to coast over these years to guarantee that future generations will be able to forever use and enjoy our nation's wonderfully diverse wilderness areas.  Among the national treasures that gained immediate protection under the Act were the Bob Marshall Wilderness in Montana, Boundary Waters Canoe Area in Minnesota, the John Muir Wilderness in California and in the East - New Hamp

The US Senate today overwhelmingly adopted a resolution commemorating the 45th anniversary of the Wilderness Act – the tool by which citizens can work with Congress to add shared public land to the National Wilderness Preservation System.

Gorge Lake in East Pioneers;
© Russell O'Leary

Senator Jon Tester today announced his Forest Jobs and Recreation Act, a forest stewardship bill aimed at protecting the state’s wild lands, clean water and outdoor traditions, while creating jobs to help struggling local economies. The bill unites three community-driven efforts in western Montana for the Beaverhead-Deerlodge, the Lolo, and the Kootenai National Forests.

Whether you're sitting by a lake or a mountain or traveling somewhere to reach a summer destination, it's nice to have a good book along. The Campaign for America's Wilderness staff suggests picking from this baker's dozen of great old and new wild reads. About the first, A Sand County Almanac, executive director Mike Matz says, "From this one little volume, published posthumously, legions of conservationists have derived inspiration, discovered their philosophy of land ethics, and found solace in the lyrical writing. 

Join our e-activist network (and get the Campaign's e-newsletter and action alerts) and we'll send you a free WILD sticker.

This picture was sent to us by amazing outdoor photographer and wilderness supporter Michael E. Gordon (visit his website: http://www.michael-gordon.com/ ). Michael's WILD sticker grew its wild tiger-stripes traveling a dusty road on the back of his truck, en route to a wilderness excursion in the Utah Canyon lands.

Doug Scott, the Campaign's Policy Director, and one of the nation's leading wilderness historians, has been on the move talking about his new book, Our Wilderness: America's Common Ground. Speaking to groups about the history of the wilderness movement and sharing his photographic tribute to America’s amazing wild places, Doug takes questions, shares stories and brings to life the message of his book — the need to protect our last best wild lands for future generations to use and enjoy.

Members of the Public Lands and Forests Subcommittee (Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee) heard testimony today on The El Rio Grande del Norte National Conservation Area Establishment Act (S.874) which will protect public land in northern New Mexico.

Devil's Staircase; © Dave Tvedt

Representative Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR)  today introduced a measure to permanently  protect nearly 30,000 acres of Oregon's prized Devil's Staircase area as wilderness.  Devil's Staircase is located on Wassen Creek in Oregon's Coast Range between the Smith and Umpqua Rivers, and is considered  by some  to be the most remote location in the entire state.  This "staircase" of waterfalls with plunge pools carved into the sandstone is a spectacular site, and  well  worth the effort to experience it.

Ute Mountain

Senator Jeff Bingaman, Chair of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, today introduced the "El Rio Grande Del Norte National Conservation Area Establishment Act," to conserve and protect some 235,000 acres northwest of Taos, New Mexico, as a conservation area, including more than 21,000 acres of designated wilderness.