Mount Washington Wilderness Protected from Invasive Ecological Meddling
By Gary Macfarlane

Conservation groups recently learned that the Forest Supervisor of the Willamette National Forest has withdrawn the draft decision on a proposal to conduct a “prescribed fire” in a portion the Mt Washington Wilderness. Three conservation organizations--Wilderness Watch, Blue Mountains Biodiversity Project and BARK—filed a formal administrative objection to the Scott Mountain Prescribed fire in Wilderness Environmental Assessment.  Read more...

National Monuments Review Threatens Wilderness

by George Nickas, Executive Director, Wilderness Watch

 President Trump’s executive order demanding a review of all national monuments larger than 100,000 acres and established since 1996 portends serious consequences for the National Wilderness Preservation System. 

Bigger is Better

By Howie Wolke
 
When it comes to wilderness, bigger is better. This is as true from an ecological perspective as it is from that of the human wilderness experience.

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Sigurd Olson and the Establishment of Voyageurs National Park

By Kevin Proescholdt
 
Last year, 2016, marked the centennial of the formation of the National Park Service.  The heightened awareness of the National Park Service surrounding this anniversary has triggered a fresh interest in the national parks that this agency manages.  Of particular interest to those with an interest in Sigurd F. Olson is the story of national parks in Sig’s home state of Minnesota and Sig’s role with them. 

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Wilderness Intended as Refuge from Bikes and other Mechanization

By Kevin Proescholdt
 
Several recent opinion pieces from around the country have asked why mountain bikes cannot be allowed to ride in Congressionally-designated Wildernesses.  Mountain bikers have even had a new bill introduced in Congress (S. 3205) to open all Wildernesses in the country to mountain bikes and chainsaws.  But the short answer to their question is that allowing bicycles in these areas would defeat the very purpose of setting aside and protecting these areas as Wilderness

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Wolke on Wheels

By Howie Wolke
 
If, in 1975, I could have peered into a crystal ball and seen that groups of mostly young, physically fit people would replace extractive industry as the primary organized impediment to Wilderness designations and to keeping Wilderness wild, my jaw would have dropped. Yet that’s exactly what has happened.

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It’s time to change how we administer Wilderness and strengthen the National Wilderness Preservation System

By Brett Haverstick
 
Taking a long trip into the backcountry during winter doesn’t appeal to some people. That’s understandable. But I enjoy it, and it’s something I try to do a few times a year. Winter backpacking is very different, and more challenging, compared to strapping on the pack during other seasons. Read more...