We helped protect 517,000 acres of wilderness and 316 miles of wild and scenic rivers in southwest Idaho’s Owyhee Canyonlands in 2009. Now we are helping to ensure that these protections remain strong for the long-term and conservation commitments are fulfilled.

What we’re doing now

Even before the Owyhee was officially designated as wilderness, we agreed to help implement the new protections and work on additional measures not included in the federal legislation.

Science-based management

To ensure sound stewardship of the Owyhee Canyonlands, we helped secure funding for an ongoing science review program in coordination with the University of Idaho.

Reducing grazing

We are working with our partners to compensate those with grazing permits adjacent to Owyhee wilderness areas. Encouraging the permanent retirement of livestock grazing permits will help protect wildlife.

Securing land

We are working with those who have private ownership of land within Owyhee wilderness areas to incorporate these inholdings into the publicly owned wild lands.

We helped protect 517,000 acres of wilderness and 316 miles of wild and scenic rivers in southwest Idaho’s Owyhee Canyonlands in 2009.

Knowing the Boundaries

We have worked with the Bureau of Land Management, which manages the Owyhee wilderness, to ensure the protected area’s boundaries are clearly defined and posted for the public.