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President Declares National Wilderness Month
September 3rd, 2009Recognizes wilderness as “an irreplaceable part of our Nation's heritage”
"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.
Presidential Proclamation: National Wilderness Month, 2009
September 3rd, 2009
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
The American wilderness has inspired wonder and imagination for centuries and is an irreplaceable part of our Nation's heritage. Even before the birth of the United States, visitors from near and far were struck by its splendor and purity. The unaltered American landscape stood apart from any other in the world. During the years of westward expansion, the wilderness frontier became synonymous with pioneer values of steadfastness and rugged independence. This month, we celebrate this history and renew our commitment to preserving the American wilderness for future generations.
Wilderness Act Turns 45
August 31st, 2009Conservationists celebrate landmark Act that “Keeps on Giving”
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
Kennedy Vote Helped Start Tradition of Wilderness Protection
August 28th, 2009
The death of Sen. Edward M. Kennedy reminds us of the important roles that he and President John F. Kennedy played in the enactment of the Wilderness Act of 1964.
The proposed Wilderness Act had been before Congress for four years when President Kennedy took office in January 1961, but had made little progress. Having endorsed the bill during his campaign, President Kennedy made it a top conservation priority of his Administration.
Finding common ground on protecting Montana wilderness
August 20th, 2009Yale Environment 360 (CT)
August 20th, 2009
In the Yaak Valley of Montana, environmentalists have been talking to loggers, snowmobilers and other longtime opponents of wilderness protection about the future of public lands. Their accord is part of a cooperative effort that could lead to the first wilderness-area designation in the state in a quarter-century.
Occasionally, while cleaning out files, I'll come across old screeds and op-eds and newsletters in which I express hope that we are almost there, that wilderness designation for certain of the wildest lands in northwest Montana's Yaak Valley is imminent.
FINAL WEEK TO ENTER WILDERNESS PHOTO CONTEST
August 17th, 2009
Celebrate the Wilderness Act's 45th Anniversary -- In Pictures
The Winning Photo Will Become a Poster!
The Wilderness Act turns 45 years old in September, and to celebrate, the Campaign for America's Wilderness is calling on wilderness photographers around the nation to send in a favorite image they've taken of a federal wilderness area. The best photo, as judged by our crack staff, will become a limited edition 45th Anniversary poster, and the photographer will receive an autographed copy of Doug Scott's new book, Our Wilderness: America's Common Ground.
Forest Jobs and Recreation Act Poll: 73% Say “Yes”
August 12th, 2009Public News Service (MT)
August 12th, 2009
MISSOULA, Mont. - About seven in ten Montanans say they like it; 15 percent don't like it; and the rest are undecided. That's the finding of a new poll on Senator Jon Tester's (D-Mont.) "Forest Jobs and Recreation Act."
The legislation means almost 700,000 acres of prime hunting and fishing grounds would be secured for future generations. It would also require timber harvests and treatments in the Kootenai and Beaverhead-Deerlodge Forests, and set aside some forested areas for snowmobile use.
Senate Adopts Resolution Celebrating 45th Anniversary of the Wilderness Act
August 6th, 2009Conservation Groups Cheer Renewed Push for Land Protection
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.
Debate on Colorado roadless plan continues
August 6th, 2009Associated Press
August 6th, 2009
Environmentalists say a federal appeals court decision reinstating most of a 2001 federal policy protecting roadless forests across the country means Colorado doesn't need its own management plan for the backcountry.
The ruling Wednesday by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco restored most of a policy approved by the Clinton administration in 2001 that barred roads and other development on about 58 million acres of forest nationwide. That included more than 4 million acres of roadless areas in Colorado.
Mike Matz Cheers Proposed CO Wilderness
July 29th, 2009
Campaign Executive Director speaks to Colorado Public News Service about Rep. John Salazar's draft wilderness bill.
