October, 2009

Chairman’s Mark. Get Set. GO!

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It’s been another big week for climate champs! Over the weekend the Environment and Public Works Committee (EPW) released the much-anticipated Chairman’s Mark of the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act. more

Olympic National Forest Project featured at World Forestry Congress

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This week, the Skokomish Watershed Action Team (SWAT) will be featured at the World Forestry Congress in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Coordinated by The Wilderness Society, the SWAT works together to plan, fund, and implement projects aimed at healing Washington’s Skokomish watershed. Over the years, logging and roads have caused excess sediment to wash into the river, degrading fish habitat and clogging the river channel with gravel. more

Three good reasons for helping ecosystems adapt to global warming

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In a recent post I explained what natural resources adaptation is, and why it is a critical component of any complete strategy for addressing climate change. From your favorite critter or camping spot to the safety of our communities and health of generations to come, helping ecosystems remain resilient in a warming world is the other half of the climate equation (the first half being reducing dangerous heat-trapping pollution immediately). more

California’s Berryessa Snow Mountain: Saving this slice of biodiversity

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The Wilderness Society is helping to lead an effort to add one of Northern California’s incredible and most biologically diverse landscapes to the National Landscape Conservation System. Located less than 100 miles from the Bay Area and Sacramento, the proposed Berryessa — Snow Mountain National Conservation Area is a dazzling outdoor wonderland, rich in natural features and recreational opportunities such as hiking, riding, kayaking, hunting, fishing and bird watching. more

Adele, Shawn Colvin and more sing for The Wilderness Society

What do the Indigo Girls, Adele, and Death Cab for Cutie all have in common? They all recently turned up at the studios of Seattle’s The Mountain radio station (103.7 FM) to support The Wilderness Society. more

National Public Lands Day & the North Cascades

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What do our public lands mean to you? For many they are a place to recreate. Others go to find solace from the stresses of life, while some people identify public lands as their workplace. Although we may have different reasons for heading out to these lands, we all share one commonality: we all own them and have a stake in making sure that these lands remain healthy and accessible for future generations. more

Go beyond looking for the FSC label. Attend the Portland Conference!

Whether it’s paper or patio furniture you’re looking for, finding responsibly harvested timber products is as easy as looking for the Forest Stewardship Council logo. But behind that simple FSC certification label is a sophisticated chain of effort to make sure “sustainable forestry” becomes an everyday word. more

Documentary on natural gas and hydraulic fracturing airs this weekend

If you’re new to the issue of natural gas development or still confused by the plethora of information about the consequences of drilling, you may want to grab some popcorn and check out the new documentary Split Estate airing this Saturday, Oct. 17 at 8 p.m. Eastern on Planet Green. The film will also re-air the following Thursday at 11 p.m. Eastern. Watch the trailer. more

What is climate change adaptation anyway?

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Cap. Trade. Renewable Energy Standard. Emissions reduction targets. Offsets. Price collars. Price floors. Allowances. If you’ve been following the climate debate, you’ve probably heard these terms ad nauseum. Yet another phrase that is critical to the health of our families, economy and culture slips by too often: natural resources adaptation. more

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