Former President
Washington D.C.
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President of The Wilderness Society from 1996 - 2012, William H. Meadows has been active in conservation for over 30 years. He credits Earth Day, founded by late Senator Gaylord Nelson, as the catalyst for his involvement.
As president he led a staff of 180 headquartered in Washington, DC and nine regional offices, and acted as the key spokesperson and advocate for The Wilderness Society’s work on Capitol Hill and across the country.
Recognized as a national leader in public land conservation and wilderness preservation, Bill has played an important role in the protection of national forest roadless areas, the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, and America’s national monuments. Since he took the reins of the organization, more than five million acres of wilderness have been added to the National Wilderness Preservation System. Bill is committed to building partnerships and bringing new constituencies into the wilderness movement — and believes that helping empower other groups is the key to our own success.
He is a past Chairman of the Green Group and the Campaign for America’s Wilderness, and currently serves as Chairman of the Partnership Project and on the boards of the League of Conservation Voters and Island Press.
Recently Published on Wilderness.org:
The new wilderness.org
From Divisiveness to Unity
Obama to join ranks of our roadless forest heroes?
Statement of William H. Meadows of The Wilderness Society in Support of the Nomination of Senator Ken Salazar for Secretary of the Interior
Books of Note: Nature's Way - Observations of a Good Earthkeeper
Tremendous day for Wilderness!
Proclamation reinforces importance of Wilderness
More help needed in Haiti
At 75, we’re just getting started … A personal message from TWS President Bill Meadows
40 years of Earth Day: Remembering the man who inspired a nation
Public lands can enhance America's Great Outdoors
Father's Day Came Early This Year: Remembering the "Father of Earth Day"
Letter to United States Forest Service
Forest Service must fulfill its duty to protect wilderness
Celebrating 50 Years of Bears, Birds, and Caribou in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
Wilderness Society calls for drilling timeout
Stopping the next oil spill before it happens
Obama’s Green Team learns from Americans about conservation
Keep the greenhouse gas blowout preventer - Lose the "Dirty Air Act"
Youth unite! Outdoor Nation happens at Central Park this weekend
Rahall CLEAR Act Support Letter
The Wilderness Act: What Americans have gained since 1964
Rafting the Middle Fork: A reminder of what we’re fighting for
Celebrate our public lands this week
Tell us why you will continue to help protect wild places
A Half Century of Protection Is a Good First Step
America’s Great Outdoors: A great idea, improved
Japan's Tragedy: A message of solidarity
Subsidies for wealthy oil and gas companies? It’s time to stop the unneeded hand-outs
Tornado victims: Our hearts are with you
Senators Alexander, Corker stand up for wilderness protection
NPR's Diane Rehm show gives us chance to make the case for balancing use of wild lands
The Green Jobs Speech Obama Should Give
Don’t giveaway our great outdoors during National Wilderness Month
The Sneak Attack on America’s Lands
The Trillion Dollar American Job Engine
Your Newest National Monument: Virginia’s Fort Monroe designated at last!
Why is Congress Making a Bad Situation Worse?
Keystone XL Pipeline Denied! Send a letter to Obama here
Assault on wilderness fails in the polls
National Parks for sale?
Your newest national monument: Obama protects California's Fort Ord
