The Wilderness Blog

The latest updates, insights and stories from across the country. We hope you enjoy the conversation. Comment and let us know what you think.

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Calling all Clean Energy Patriots!

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It’s time for the United States Senate to declare its independence from Big Oil. For 40 days we are counting down 40 reasons why the Senate must move on clean energy and climate action. more

New Report Shows Climate Change Threatening a Third of North American Bird Species

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Secretary Salazar Issues Timely Reminder of Climate Threat The issue of forest protection, species survival and climate all come together in a just-issued report from the US Department of Interior. “State of the Birds” is a timely reminder of the looming threat of Climate Change to Hundreds of Species. more

Recent polls show broad, enduring support for climate action

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Copenhagen failed to get a legally binding international agreement on climate action. The voters of Massachusetts elected a Republican running against healthcare reform. Now is an appropriate time to test the public’s staying power when it comes to ameliorating the worst effects of climate change. more

America’s Rainforest Under Threat: How Alaska’s Tongass National Forest needs your help

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Centuries before chainsaws were invented and logging corporations founded, the towering trees of Alaska’s Tongass National Forest were growing. Trees that soar to the sky today were already shooting into adolescence when Columbus sailed the seas. more

Creating National Monuments: Learn about the special tradition behind these grand legacies

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National Monuments and the Antiquities Act have been in the news quite a bit lately because of a manufactured controversy that misrepresents a leaked memo to suggest incorrectly that the Obama Administration has imminent plans to use the Antiquities Act to create a slew new National Monuments. more

Murkowski offering a murky deal for our air

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A few weeks ago I discussed a pending threat from Sen. Murkowski, and it looks like time is short. As you’ll recall, this should-be/ would-be climate champ is leading the charge to prevent the EPA from moving ahead on climate action. This is especially disconcerting, considering her home state of Alaska is feeling and will continue to feel the impacts of climate change far more than most places — just ask folks in Shishmaref and other towns falling into the sea! more

Lungs of the Earth: The Top 10 carbon storing national forests in America

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Ever hear the old adage that trees are the “lungs of the earth?” It creates an awesome visual and brings a human element to the towering giants that fill our forests. But did you know that forests in the Pacific Northwest and Southeast Alaska are among the Earth’s strongest “lungs?” more

Controversy over Antiquities Act and National Monuments makes little sense

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Recently, some members of Congress have attempted to create controversy with an anonymous leak of an “Internal Draft — NOT FOR RELEASE” memo within the Department of Interior. The leaked memo contained a list of 14 areas in nine states that might be worthy of being designated as national monuments under the Antiquities Act. The memo clearly stated, “further evaluations should be completed prior to any final decision, including an assessment of public and Congressional support.” more