The Wilderness Blog

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Obama’s focus on science gives sea bird a reprieve

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Just six months into Obama’s presidency, we’re already beginning to see just how much we can get done with an administration that values strong scientific evidence. Last week, after years of foot-dragging by the Bush Administration, the White House released a landmark multi-agency government report on the effects of climate change on the U.S. Just a day later, a scientific report from the U.S. more

Rejecting Utah drilling is a good start to fixing larger problem

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It’s a good day when you can be reasonably assured that a trip to the Windows or Delicate Arch at Arches National Park won’t be tarnished by the thought that most of the public land surrounding the park is in the hands of the oil and gas industry. more

Obama to join ranks of our roadless forest heroes?

I had the honor Monday of joining two of my heroes — former Forest Service Chief Mike Dombeck and U.S. Representative Raul Grijalva from Arizona — to share with reporters what steps we would like to see the Obama Administration take to protect our nation’s roadless forests. more

2009: A Year for Wilderness, Wildlife

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After eight years of Bush Administration environmental roll-backs and land hand-outs to industry, the nation finally has a real chance to create better days for wild places. The time for change is here, and with your help we’re leading the charge to make that happen. Since November’s election, our staff and policy experts have been working full-speed ahead with members of the presidential transition team and with members of Congress to prepare them on steps they can quickly take to right many of the environmental wrongs of the past eight years. more

Bush’s Final Days: The last-minute environmental roll-backs you should know about

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In November, we told you about sweeping environmental roll-backs the Bush administration is rushing through in its final months in office. Since then, and just as expected, the news has not been good. In the short weeks since the presidential election, the administration has finalized numerous land management plans, regulations and policy changes that could severely damage our wild lands for decades to come. more

Bush’s Last Assault: Offering the backcountry to industry (Part 3 of 6)

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I’ve worn out more than a few pairs of boots over the years tromping around Idaho’s backcountry. I suspect I’ll wear out before I see all of this scenic land. more

Bush’s Last Assault: Changes to Endangered Species Act a bad deal for everyone (Part 2 of 6)

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On a recent vacation in California, my family and I decided to venture over to the San Diego Zoo. It was a beautiful day and I was raring to get in and learn about all the fascinating creatures. Just inside the entrance of the zoo was a display illustrating the recently extinct species. A sobering feeling came over me as I looked over the list. These species were gone forever…and that was it. more

Bush’s Last Assault: Handing lands to industry, robbing Americans of opportunities (Part 1 of 6)

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The last time my father and I took our semi-annual voyage into a yet-unexplored-by-us wilderness area, I was in a foul mood. The high stress of my job as a political reporter in Washington, D.C. had made me not the best of traveling companions. Yet we could not have picked a more pristine area, replete with a black bear that tore open our food bag while it hung in a pine tree, a portage trail where the howls of timber wolves echoed, and a tiny mouse that seemed to think our empty dessert tin was its new home. more