The Wilderness Blog

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Forest Service honors our own Steve Smith with Bob Marshall Award

Whether tucked away in his office in Denver or out exploring the forests, mountains, and canyons of Colorado, our Central Rockies Assistant Regional Director Steve Smith is immersed in the process of protecting the wilderness he loves. Now even the Forest Service has taken note, selecting him as this year’s recipient of one of their most prestigious honors: the Bob Marshall Award for Individual Champion of Wilderness Stewardship. more

Celebrating 45 years of the Wilderness Act

America's Wilderness spans magnificent lands from coast to coast — north to south. We can celebrate these outstanding natural benefits today — and be sure they will be available to us tomorrow — because forty-five years ago, our nation’s leaders introduced visionary legislation unlike any the world had ever seen: The Wilderness Act. A deliberate and farsighted effort to protect from development vast areas of wild places, the Wilderness Act preserves the lasting benefits of wilderness for the enjoyment of all Americans. more

Recent Utah looting underscores need for artifact protections

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In the Four Corners region, among the rugged mountains, mesas and deep canyons of the high desert there are pockets of desert wilderness where the soil is the only thing standing between travelers and a wealth of ancient Pueblo artifacts. In these lands, the ancient Pueblo people once settled villages with hundreds of family farms. Today, the area is rich with evidence of their small communities, but it’s also a hotbed for those looking to profit from illegally selling this priceless cultural heritage. more

Will solar energy prove a win-win for wildlands?

Unlike conventional energy production, we don't have to raze mountaintops or drill into our national wildlife refuges to access energy provided by the sun. Huge swaths of the Southwest receive enough sun to power utility-scale solar energy projects. Not only does solar energy not run out: it also runs wide. In fact, in the Southwestern United States alone, the sun provides enough energy to power our country 6 times over! more

Understanding the mountain pine beetle: Seven facts you need to know

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I’m looking out my window right now and savoring a magnificent view of the Rockies — it’s just one of the perks of living in Colorado. Recently, though, many Coloradoans have been seeing the familiar hilltops and mountainsides turn from green to red, as the mountain pine beetle continues its spread throughout the West. As more people become aware of the challenges raised by the pine beetle outbreak it is vital that citizens and policymakers understand the ecology behind the outbreak. more

Renewable energy belongs best on brownfields

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One of the most exciting things about working on renewable energy issues in a land conservation organization is that every day we wade deep into the policies that will impact our public lands for decades to come. Our energy team works hard to support the nation’s shift to clean, renewable energy. At the same time, it’s important to us that the impacts of solar, wind, and geothermal facilities on our precious landscapes are kept to a minimum. more

Coming in May: Don’t miss Utah’s Amazing Earthfest

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If you thought it was fun deciphering big game tracks on your last trip to the wild, you’re going to love this. A guided tour of dinosaur tracks embedded in sandstone millions of years ago is part of the 3rd annual Amazing Earthfest this year around Kanab, Utah. The festival runs May 17 to 23 with events designed to celebrate the magnificent landscapes, diverse ecology, and cultural heritage of the Colorado Plateau. more

Laying a strong foundation for renewable energy

You've no doubt heard about the progress Interior Secretary Ken Salazar has made in reversing bad Bush administration public lands policy. more