The end of eight years of unrelenting assaults on our public lands is truly in sight, and as we move towards a new Administration, I am astonished at all that the WildAlert community has done to protect wilderness and wildlife. Roadless forest areas – 58 million acres of them – still intact despite numerous policy assaults. New Wilderness areas protected. Even a new, positive outcome on snowmobiles in Yellowstone (see Inside Story below).
There is much to celebrate, but we must remain vigilant during the last weeks of this administration. Already, we are seeing a rush to finalize long term management plans in Utah and Oregon that could radically alter beloved red rocks wilderness and ancient forests.
Opportunities also remain. Congress seems intent on returning to a lame duck session after the election and could take up a major public lands bill then.
There is one other piece of news we'd like to share with you this month – that is our excitement about our new website, launched with you in mind. This dynamic new site makes it possible for you to voice your love and concern for wilderness in many ways, by commenting on our articles, sending site links to friends, signing up for RSS feeds and more. You are squarely in the picture of our legacy and our work, and we are so very grateful for all you do to help!
Visit our new website at www.wilderness.org!
Thank you!
Kathy Kilmer
Utah's Wildlands Threatened by Last Minute Action
Stand at the edge of Island in the Sky in Canyonlands National Park near Moab, Utah, and be prepared to be swept away by a landscape of red rock badlands and canyon country.
This extraordinary national park, with its enormous views and unique geologic features, could be forever altered by an 11th hour act as the Bush Administration heads out of Washington. The Administration is rushing to finalize plans to open a vast area of Utah to energy development and up to 17,000 miles of off road vehicle trails. Some members of Congress are attempting to stop this senseless move. You can help, too. Take action now!
Keeping Snowmobiles in Check in Yellowstone
This winter may be the most peaceful in years at Yellowstone National Park, now that a judge has thrown out a Bush Administration decision that allowed too many snowmobiles in the beloved park. New rules now need to be created, and the WildAlert community will be a part of that in the coming weeks.
Putting together the Pieces of a New Land System
Leading a coalition of more than 80 groups, The Wilderness Society is backing bipartisan legislation to establish America's newest conservation system — the National Landscape Conservation System.
Going Wild
Tired of the daily grind? You're not alone. Read about the explosion of retirees in their 50s, 60s and 70s who are choosing to volunteer in state and national parks after leaving the 9 to 5 world.
Protect Old Growth in the Pacific Northwest – Donate Now!
In the waning days of the Bush administration, the Bureau of Land Management is attempting to push through plans that will gut the science-based federal protections for the forests and streams of the Pacific Northwest. At risk are wild Pacific salmon and old growth dependent forest species such as spotted owls and marbled murrelets. The administration is hoping that its efforts, which will subject these ecologically valuable lands to commercial clearcut logging, will pass by unnoticed while the public's attention is turned toward the election. But we're watching – and we need your help to stop them.
We can't afford to sit idly by while the Bush administration quietly exposes our natural heritage to reckless commercial exploitation. Please make a donation today to help The Wilderness Society protect the great forests of the Pacific Northwest.
Your IRA gift to The Wilderness Society can be tax free.
If you are age 70½ or older and are required to take minimum withdrawals from your IRA (and you do not need them for personal use), newly re-authorized legislation makes it possible for you to pass those withdrawals on to qualified charities. While you cannot claim a charitable deduction for IRA gifts, you will not pay income tax on the amount. To learn more how this can benefit you and The Wilderness Society, click here.
Words to Inspire
"All we desire to save from civilization is... that extremely minor fraction of outdoor America which yet remains free from mechanical sights and sounds and smell."
- Robert Marshall, co-founder, The Wilderness Society
The Wilderness Society's mission is to protect wilderness and inspire Americans to care for our wild places. As a subscriber to WildAlert, you join more than 310,000 Wilderness Society members and supporters in protecting and restoring America's wild places.
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