Get ready to be inspired. Ken Burns’ six-part documentary The National Parks: America’s Best Idea begins airing on PBS this Sunday, Sept. 27. With breathtaking visuals, the documentary tells the rich story behind the creation of our national parks, a tale filled with drama, conflict, inspiration and humanity.

Northern California’s Headwaters Forest Reserve conjures images of clear Coho salmon streams and ancient redwoods so tall they darken the forest even as the California sun hangs overhead.

The grove of old-growth giants is a peaceful haven that would not be here today had it not been for the environmentalists, industry CEOs and regular Joes that rallied to prevent logging of the forest more than a decade ago.

All aboard! Our Virtual OmniBUS Tour ’09 has pulled in to its first stop — the Pasayten Wilderness in Washington. Watch your step as you exit the bus, and keep your eyes trained on the forest for something big and brown. Andrea Imler will lead today’s leg — post a comment when we get back and let her know what thoughts this stop brings to your mind.

A tall, spindly sight in the Pasayten Wilderness

By Andrea Imler

You’ll be surprised by the answer. Find out more in this essay from Wilderness Magazine. To receive the annual magazine and quarterly newsletters from The Wilderness Society, become a member today!

Breathing Trees

By Jennifer Ackerman

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.