WILDERNESS SUPPORT CENTER
Helping people protect America's wild places
Wildlands Designation Campaigns
States we work in
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Idaho
- Montana
- Nevada
- New Mexico
- North Dakota
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Utah
- Virginia
- West Virginia
- Wyoming
Arizona
In west-central Arizona, the Center’s staff is working to protect significant portions of the Sonoran Desert. Through the Sonoran Desert Heritage campaign, we are working with coalition partners Arizona Wilderness Coalition (AWC), Sonoran Institute (SI), Arizona Wildlife Federation (AWF), and PEW’s Campaign for America’s Wilderness (CAW) to implement a campaign to preserve ecologically and culturally significant wildlands in western Maricopa County. The Center’s staff has been involved in every aspect of the effort.
The Center’s staff has also been engaged in southern Arizona. We continue to support the Tumacacori Highlands Wilderness campaign as it moves through the legislative process. In southeastern Arizona, the Center’s staff is engaged with the Cochise County Land of Legends campaign with partners Sky Island Alliance (SIA) and CAW.
In addition to campaign-specific work, the Center’s staff has works with TWS's BLM Action Center and Forest Action Center in assisting local partners on policy issues including renewable energy, border issues, wilderness suitability analyses, Forest Planning and Travel management processes and special events.
California
The California Desert Protection Act introduced this congress by Sen. Diane Feinstein, would protect 1.6 million acres of southern California’s unique desert lands by creating two new National Monuments, designating new Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service Wilderness, expanding Joshua Tree and Death Valley National Parks, and protecting the desert’s historic treasures like Route 66. These protections would forever preserve the otherworldly beauty of this desert, where multicolored panoramas and diverse plant and animal life attract American and international visitors every year boosting the local tourist economy. The Center is assisting efforts to pass this landmark legislation while ensuring that the conservation designations in the proposal will adequately protect the wonderful natural resources of the desert.
The Big Sur Forest Management Unit Act would protect one of California’s most identifiable and ruggedly beautiful areas — a postcard-ready landscape nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the often fog-shrouded forest of the Santa Lucia Mountains. All together the act would protect more than 2,000 acres as wilderness and would add 91 miles to the Wild and Scenic River system. Congressman Sam Farr introduced this act last congress. The Pinnacles National Park Act would change Pinnacles from a National Monument while also adding nearly 3,000 acres of the monument to the National Wilderness Preservation System. The Act was introduced last congress in the Senate by Sen. Boxer and in the House by Rep. Sam Farr.
The Center is providing Washington D.C. representation and strategic guidance for these bills.
Colorado
Introduced last Congress, the San Juan Mountains Wilderness Act, would expand the existing Mt. Sneffels and Lizard Head Wilderness areas, establish the McKenna Peak Wilderness, create the Sheep Mountain Special Management Area along the alpine ridge between San Miguel and San Juan counties, and prohibit oil and gas development in Naturita Canyon. The San Juan Mountains are a vital watershed, providing clean water to the surrounding communities. The proposal would protect over 33,000 acres as wilderness and 28,000 acres under other protective management designations. Legislation is expected again in the 112th Congress.
Introduced by Representative Jared Polis for the second time in April 2011, the Eagle and Summit County Wilderness Preservation Act would protect nearly 166,000 acres of pristine public land as new components of the National Wilderness Preservation System and other special protection areas. The legislation will protect areas that provide recreation opportunities, boost Colorado’s economy by providing jobs, and sustain wildlife habitat connections between existing high peak wilderness areas--increasingly important in the face of climate change. The proposal is supported by conservationists, ranchers, local businesses, and recreationists.
Senator Michael Bennet announced his intention to introduce legislation this year based on a roundtable stakeholder process focused on the Hermosa Creek Watershed, where nearly three years of discussions and negotiations have resulted in agreement on a 150,000 acre Special Management Area with a 50,000 acre Hermosa Creek Wilderness at its core.
The Center provides background research, assistance in developing campaign and legislative strategies, and Washington D.C. representation for each of these proposals.
Another effort that is likely to result in legislation is a collaborative processes for the greater Dolores River Basin. Discussions in the southern portion of the Basin have resulted in near-consensus on a river corridor-oriented NCA, with two protected core areas. Another collaborative for the northern part of the Basin began in early 2011.
Idaho
For over 10 years the Center has been providing solid support for the team effort aimed at designating over 320,000 acres of Idaho's magnificent and wildlife-rich Boulder White Clouds mountains. The Center staff has been and will continue to provide organizing help, mapping help, and sage advice to decision-makers on Capitol Hill.
Montana
In the 111th Congress, Senator Jon Tester introduced the Forest Jobs and Recreation Act that would designate 669,160 acres of wilderness and 336,205 acres of recreation, protection, and special management areas on three national forests in Montana--the Kootenai, Beaver Head-Deerlodge and Lolo National Forests. It would also create important additions to the renowned Bob Marshall Wilderness and promote forest restoration and forest biomass energy production. The Center is assisting to develop the legislative strategy and provides Washington D.C. representation for this proposal.
Nevada
The Center has been a leading player in the successful team efforts which resulted in lasting protections for the Black Rock Desert, Clark County, Lincoln County and White Pine County. These initiatives led to the permanent protection of over 3 million acres of wild country.
New Mexico
The Wilderness Support Center is engaged with local partners such as the New Mexico Wilderness Alliance and the New Mexico Wildlife Federation in numerous campaigns across the Land of Enchantment. Reintroduced this Congress by New Mexico’s Sens. Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall as well as Reps. Ben Ray Lujan and Martin Heinrich, the El Rio Grande Del Norte National Conservation Area Establishment Act, would protect 24,000 acres of wilderness and 235,000 acres as a National Conservation Area. The proposal would ensure protection of some of the most ecologically significant lands in the state of New Mexico. This l proposal would also help secure traditional ways of life in Northern New Mexico for hunters, ranchers, and outfitters.
Introduced last Congress, the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks Wilderness Act, would protect 270,000 acres of wilderness and 110,000 acres as a National Conservation Area. Located just outside of Las Cruces in southern New Mexico, the Organ Mountains have long been the center of enjoyment for many in southern New Mexico, with ample opportunities for recreation. Sens. Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall introduced this act, which is supported by local elected governments and Chambers of Commerce, sportsmen organizations, community groups and conservation organizations.
The Center provides background research, assistance in developing and implementing campaign and legislative strategies.
North Dakota
For almost 10 years the Center's staff have provided hands-on assistance and consistent support to the Badlands Conservation Alliance and the North Dakota Wilderness Coalition. Together, we're proposing the enactment of the Prairie Legacy Wilderness Proposal, which includes Wilderness for 5 key areas in the Little Missouri National Grasslands, and one in the Sheyenne National Grasslands. Together these areas represent the last best remnants of wild places left in North Dakota. Lands that still embrace wild nature just as Theodore Roosevelt laid his eyes on them over 100 years ago. Also, TWS pioneering leader Olaus Murie conducted field studies in the Little Missouri National Grasslands clear back in late 1940s. It is imperative that we do our best to protect this modest but monumental legacy.
South Dakota
The Center works closely with the South Dakota Wild Grassland Coalition ranchers, hunters, and South Dakotans from all walks of life to protect South Dakota's national grasslands. The proposal would protect 48,000 acres of the Buffalo Gap National Grasslands by creating the first designated Wilderness area in our national grasslands. The Grasslands are characterized by unique plant and wildlife and offers hikers, horseback riders, hunters, and birdwatchers, a diverse wilderness experience.
Tennessee
The Center staff serves on the Tennessee Wild Coalition with local and national partners. Senators Alexander and Corker introduced the Tennessee Wilderness Act in the 111th Congress which aimed to protect 20,000 acres of the Cherokee National Forest as wilderness, expanding four existing areas as well as establishing the Upper Bald River Wilderness Area. The wildlands that would be protected are some of the most bio-diverse on the planet and are also home to some of our nation’s finest outdoor recreational opportunities and are close to population centers.
Utah
The Wasatch Wilderness and Watershed Protection Act introduced last congress by Rep. Jim Matheson, would protect 16,000 acres as designated federal Wilderness and another 10,000 acres as a Special Management Area. The proposal is supported by local governments, recreation interests, and local conservation organizations and would provide valuable protections to the watershed that provides municipal water to more than a half-million residents of Salt Lake City while maintaining access for backcountry skiing. The Center assists with background research and legislative strategies, and provides Washington D.C. representation for this proposal.
The Center is working with the Piute County Commission and Utah Congressional delegation to develop a proposal to designate new wilderness areas and provide economic development opportunities in Piute County. The proposal would protect key landscapes within the scenic Tushar Mountains and Sevier Plateau. These fabulous landscapes are home to an array of wildlife, and provide excellent opportunities for hiking, hunting, and other outdoor recreation. The Center is assisting to develop the legislative strategy and provides Washington D.C. representation for this proposal.
Virginia
WSC staff is working with local partners including the Virginia Wilderness Committee on an effort to protect wildlands on the George Washington National Forest. A collaborative process involving key stakeholders is underway that is intended to lead to a Land and Resource Management Plan that the stakeholders can support and includes recommendations for Wilderness and other conservation designations. The wildlands of the George Washington contain critical wildlife habitat, rare plants and top notch outdoor recreation within a day’s drive of 1/3 of our nation’s population.
West Virginia
Introduced last congress by former Representative Alan Mollohan and later by Sen. Jay Rockefeller, the Monongahela Conservation Legacy Act would designate 6,042 acres of wilderness on this iconic West Virginia national forest. From atop North Fork Mountain, one experiences stunning views of the majestic Smoke Hole Canyon to the East, and to the West, breathtaking vistas include Seneca Rocks, the North Fork River Valley, Champe Rocks, Dolly Sods Wilderness and the recently designated Roaring Plains Wilderness. This vista from atop North Fork Mountain were hailed by Outside Magazine as “some of the best scenery in the East”, and the North Fork Mountain Trail was named the “most scenic trail in West Virginia” by Backpacker Magazine.
The Center works with the West Virginia Wilderness Coalition and provides background research, assistance in developing campaign and legislative strategies, and Washington D.C. representation for these proposals.
Wyoming
WSC staff is working with the Wyoming Wilderness Association on a campaign to expand the Cloud Peak Wilderness on the Big Horn National Forest through the addition of the Rock Creek Roadless Area. The Rock Creek area contains critical elk migration corridors, rare plants and excellent hunting and fishing close the communities of Buffalo and Sheridan.
Center staff are also helping grassroots groups engage in a budding campaign to protect key areas in the Shoshone National Forest. Lands adjacent to the Washakie Wilderness, especially the Du Noir Special Management Unit, the Middle Fork of the Wood River and Francs Peak all deserve Wilderness protections. This land is pulsing with history, from John Colter, to Amelia Earhart who was having a cabin built in upper Wood River for her to return to after her round the world flight. Sadly she never made it, but the foundation in the mountains she loved still stand. Staff continues to assist with stalwart efforts to defend the great Red Desert Country (where Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid ran wild) and other key areas.
Photo: Hikers in Bob Marshall Wilderness in Montana. Photo by Jeff Fox.
