Wilderness News Releases

Photo by: John Dittli

A major conservation bill to protect land in California was introduced today by Senator Dianne Feinstein. The California Desert Conservation and Recreation Act would protect more than two million acres of sensitive and stunning desert landscape by designating new wilderness areas, creating the Desert Trails and Sand to Snow National Monuments, expanding existing national parks, and protecting vital waterways such as the Amargosa River and Deep Creek.

Gorge Lake in East Pioneers;
© Russell O'Leary

The Forest Jobs and Recreation Act, introduced by Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT), was the subject of a hearing today by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources' Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests, marking the first step in bringing new wilderness to Montana in more than 25 years.

Ute Mountain

Alpine Lakes

The Rio Grande del Norte National Conservation Area Establishment Act and the Alpine Lakes Wilderness Additions and Wild Pratt River Act are both another key step closer to enactment today, as members of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee approved these measures and sent them to the floor of the full Senate for action. The first, sponsored by Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) and co-sponsored by Senator Tom Udall (D-NM), will protect nearly 236,000 acres in northern New Mexico as a National Conservation Area, and will designate about 13,500 acres of the Ute Mountain area as the Cerro del Yuta wilderness, and 8,000 acres as the San Antonio wilderness within the NCA.

The Campaign for America's Wilderness applauds the introduction of the Beauty Mountain and Agua Tibia Act of 2009 (H.R. 4309), which will protect over 21,000 acres of precious wildlands in north San Diego County, California. The Campaign is grateful to U.S. Representative Darrell Issa for his hard work and dedication to California's future generations in developing and championing this important conservation effort.

The House Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands held a hearing Tuesday, November 17, on Representative Sam Farr's (D-CA) Pinnacles National Park Act, which would add almost 3,000 acres of new wilderness within Pinnacles National Monument.

"We are very pleased that the subcommittee is considering the Pinnacles wilderness bill and congratulate Rep. Farr for his dedication and foresight in protecting more wild lands in central California," said Jim Mathews, Policy Specialist for the Campaign for America's Wilderness. 

We cheer Chairman Grijalva and the House Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands for hearing testimony today on the Alpine Lakes Wilderness Additions and Pratt and Middle Fork Snoqualmie Rivers Protection Act.  This is an important step in ensuring that one of the nation's most popular wilderness areas is protected for future generations to continue to enjoy.

Platt River Valley © Rick McGuire

We applaud Chairman Wyden and the Senate Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests for hearing testimony today on the Alpine Lakes Wilderness Additions and Wild Pratt River Act. This marks a great step forward in protecting this "backyard wilderness" and ensuring the region's clean water and healthy environment.

Only an hour's drive from Seattle, Alpine Lakes provides world-class recreational opportunities for hiking, camping, rafting, kayaking, horseback riding and wildlife viewing. It is also a critical habitat for cutthroat trout, elk and mountain goats.

Devil's Staircase; © Dave Tvedt

We cheer Chairman Rahall and the House Natural Resources Committee today for moving the prized Devil's Staircase Wilderness legislation (H.R. 2888) another step closer to law.  This unique area is one of the most secluded and wild treasures in Oregon.

Representative DeFazio deserves our thanks for his leadership to protect nearly 30,000 acres of this remarkable landscape as wilderness and more than 14 miles of Wassen and Franklin Creeks as wild and scenic river.

Wilson and Sunshine additions of Lizard Head
Wilderness; © John Richter Photography

The Campaign for America's Wilderness welcomes Rep. John Salazar's (D-CO) legislation to protect more than 61,000 acres of public land in southwestern Colorado. The San Juan Mountains Wilderness Act (H.R. 3914), introduced October 22, is the result of a thorough collaboration with local stakeholders, and will be the first new wilderness designation in the San Juan Mountains since 1993.

Organ Mountains; © Stephen Capra

“We applaud the Senate Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests for receiving
testimony today on two bills to protect nearly 290,000 acres of wilderness in New Mexico
and Oregon,” said Jim Mathews, Policy Specialist for the Campaign for America’s
Wilderness.