Wilderness in the news

It's been a busy few days for wilderness in the news. From legislation to proposed wilderness, there is no shortage of wilderness related news.

A few links:

From the Idaho Reporter : Idaho lawmakers tell to feds to back off ‘wild lands’ rules

The Idaho Legislature will send letters to Congress and federal officials saying that Idaho citizens should be involved in any efforts to designate more land in the state as wilderness. The action from lawmakers comes after an order from the Department of the Interior that has been criticized by many Idaho elected officials.

From Madison.com: Get back to nature in Florida wilderness

Winter in South Florida may be the best season to explore the three national parks that surround the region: Everglades, Biscayne and the Big Cypress National Preserve. Cool breezes, the absence of insects and lack of rainfall make hiking and biking more comfortable. Yet there’s still enough water around to enjoy canoeing and kayaking in many areas. These expansive wilderness areas invite visitors to become adventurers — to paddle secluded mangrove creeks, follow trails used by bears and panthers gaze at gators up close, and marvel at a cornucopia of birds that make winter homes here.


From the Mail Tribune: Wild Lands order is a common-sense approach

Americans love the wild places where they hike, fish, hunt, or just take a break from their busy lives, and they expect these lands to be managed wisely on their behalf. At the end of last year, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar laid out a common-sense approach to managing these special places with his Wild Lands policy, established by Secretarial Order 3310.

From the San Diego Union: Diverse support for wilderness bill

The editorial “A wilderness sliced in two” (March 1), advocating for protection of San Diego County’s natural beauty and rugged terrain, was a breath of fresh air. I was equally surprised to read that conservationists, chambers of commerce and local businesses all support Rep. Darrell Issa’s Beauty Mountain and Agua Tibia Wilderness Act. It’s clear that a bill attracting such diverse support is important to the community. It shows the bill does more than just protect places of beauty. It also boosts our economy by attracting residents and tourists to visit the area.