The Society for Wilderness Stewardship to play key role in celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Wilderness Act

As many of you are already aware, history was made on September 3, 1964 - when President LB Johnson signed the Wilderness Act, thus establishing the National Wilderness Preservation System. The 50th anniversary of this important legislative triumph is approaching quickly in 2014, and as a result, a planning team of wilderness-affiliated non-governmental organizations and the four wilderness-managing federal agencies is currently being assembled to plan the activities for this once-in-a-lifetime wilderness anniversary celebration.

The initial goals for the 50th Anniversary Planning Team are to bring the wilderness community together to celebrate and steward wilderness, and to help the general public become more aware of the many benefits and values of the National Wilderness Preservation System. The Society for Wilderness Stewardship's Program Committee Chair has been asked to serve as the 50th Anniversary Planning Team's Co-Chairperson and has willingly accepted this position. The planning team meets monthly via teleconference and working committees, that will accomplish the bulk of the on-the-ground work for the 2014 celebration, which is currently being formulated.

The American people have supported wilderness since its inception, as the NWPS has grown from its original 9.1 million acres to over 100 million total acres in less than fifty years. Let's all take the unique opportunity of the 50th to come together as wilderness advocates, to do whatever is needed to make the 50th Anniversary Celebration an experience for the ages, and to use this distinctive event to propel us into a new time of shared stewardship and sincere collaborative wildlands management.

For more information on becoming involved with one of the 50th Anniversary working committees please contact the planning team Co-Chair

redroadone@aol.com

Society signs national Memorandum of Understanding with US Forest Service

The Society for Wilderness Stewardship recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the USDA Forest Service. This national level MOU is designed to foster "cooperation between the Society and the Forest Service to identify and collaboratively resolve issues related to stewardship of the National Wilderness Preservation System (NWPS)." The MOU was signed by Society Board Chair, Don Hunger and Deputy Chief of the US Forest Service, Joel Holtrop.

"It's great to have the USDA Forest Service support the Society for Wilderness Stewardship. This MOU acknowledges our commitment to a professional society supporting the environmental, economic and educational benefits of America's National Wilderness Preservation System. We look forward to a strong partnership with the Forest Service," said Chair Don Hunger.

The Society is pursuing MOU's with other federal land management agencies that manage wilderness, including the Bureau of Land Management, the National Park Service and the US Fish & Wildlife Service to achieve a shared vision of proper stewardship for lands managed under the NWPS.

Colorado: Wilderness proposal still in limbo

There has been significant press about proposed wilderness in Colorado. While the issue can be polarizing, it does keep wilderness and wilderness issues on the forefront in many areas, which can be a good thing.

From the Summit Daily News:

U.S. Rep. Jared Polis' newly introduced and pared-down Eagle and Summit County Wilderness Preservation Act has received mixed criticism from Summit County citizens. It's been labeled a controversial bill, with some standing firm against it and others saying it's a commendable effort at mediation and compromise. “The Eagle and Summit County Wilderness Preservation Act seeks to add new designated wilderness areas in the White River National Forest within Summit and Eagle Counties to the National Wilderness Preservation System,” Polis' website said. “Designated areas would hold the highest level of land protection, with public access and usage still available, but certain types of development and activities prohibited.” The goal of the legislation is to preserve Colorado's wild areas by designating some as wilderness under the Wilderness Act of 1964 and designating others as special management or companion use areas. The bill was introduced on Sept. 29, just before Congress voted to adjourn for the fall campaign. It's on hold until the House reconvenes, which could be with an entirely different makeup of Democrats and Republicans. Polis' constituents include Summit County, which is in Colorado's 2nd Congressional District. It's unknown when action will take place, as nothing can be done while the House is in recess.

The basics

Nearly 88,000 acres in Eagle and Summit counties would be designated as wilderness while another 78,000 would be deemed “special management areas” under the Eagle and Summit County Wilderness Preservation Act. Special management areas have greater protection than most public lands but aren't as strict as rules for wilderness. Several high-profile areas were taken out of the original proposal, such as Elliot Ridge in Summit County, which has been a contentious area in discussions. The goal, Polis' website says, is to create consensus, bringing users together to establish ways to protect Colorado's gems while allowing various types of recreation where appropriate and bolster the Colorado economy without unintended conflicts. By bringing different users together, from snowmobilers to hikers, several areas have been removed from the original Hidden Gems proposal. Several environmental groups suggested the congressman carry a bill that created 244,000 wilderness acres — not including additional land in Pitkin and Gunnison counties. Areas not included in wilderness designation include 12,150 acres on Basalt Mountain as well as an extension of wilderness on Elliot Ridge. Areas of Hoosier Ridge didn't get the high level of protection, either.

The response

Mountain biking isn't allowed in wilderness areas, according to the language of the Wilderness Act. So, when several popular trails were included in the original Hidden Gems proposal, the Summit Fat Tire Society pushed back. According to a statement on the Summit Fat Tire Society website, for two years, they worked with Hidden Gems proponents to find common ground and balance areas where they didn't agree. What came out of the discussion was the idea of “companion designations,” which is a relatively new way to protect land while still allowing certain uses. “We believe companion designations offer the opportunity to protect lands around Wilderness but also create areas where bikes are allowed,” the Summit Fat Tire Society website says. Still, members of the Summit Fat Tire Society are working to fine-tune the boundaries and alignments of various designations “where we don't see eye-to-eye,” their statement says. “Where needed, we will work hard to continue to push for more protection and access to mountain biking. Until then, we're proud of the ultimate agreement to bring companion designation to fruition, which is really the definition of progress for any group,” the statement continues. Tom Jones, owner of Wilderness Sports and a resident of Evergreen who recreates in Summit County, also voiced support for the mountain biking compromises. “I support protecting as much pristine land as possible from motorized use,” he wrote in an e-mail. “Once it has been degraded by motorized access, it will never go back to the way it once was. Pristine land is absolutely a finite, limited resource.” Currie Craven, chair of the Friends of the Eagles Nest Wilderness, commended efforts to include all users in the federal proposal as it evolved from a citizen proposal. “It's a unique approach,” he said. As an advocate of encouraging stewardship of the forest above all else, Craven hopes bringing stakeholders together at the same table may dispel myths that different users “have horns and tails” and are people who enjoy recreation, too. “If people are working together and helping maintain the resources, ... people find out it breaks down barriers between user groups that may be somewhat arbitrary,” he said. Craven pointed to several areas where compromises were made, such as the companion designations for mountain bikers, “over the snow” motorized travel designations in some areas and not adjusting the motorized travel boundary at Elliot Ridge. Areas such as that around Hoosier Ridge have biological reasons for being established as wilderness, Craven added. Rare plant species there aren't found anywhere else on the planet, he said, which would mean it's probably not appropriate for snowmobile traffic. He felt that was honored in the proposal. Yet he personally wishes for more wilderness designations, such as the area above the Eisenhower/Johnson tunnels. “Maybe the definition of a compromise is that no one is happy,” Craven said, but he added that everyone had a say. “We're all Americans and this is all public land,” he said. “We have to consider what the generations in the womb of time will get.”

Consensus — and disagreement

Rick Warren, the president of the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the Sierra Club, said he vocally supported Polis' proposal at a meeting months ago in Breckenridge. Now, he's glad to see give-and-take to form a bill that's palatable for many of the affected parties. “Hidden Gems did a good job,” he said. “When it first came out, there was a lot of push back from mountain bikers and snowmobilers. ... But they worked it out and there were concessions.” Chuck Ginsberg, president of the Summit County Off-Road Riders, said the wilderness proposal doesn't much affect the single-track motorcycle riders. But he still doesn't support it. He and other SCORR members believe better protection for land can come from the U.S. Forest Service's travel management plan, which began several years ago and isn't complete. “More thought has gone into it,” Ginsberg said. “I support a well-thought-out plan. We would have to make sacrifices, with many areas we're used to riding that could be off-limits. But I'm OK making sacrifices for something that's thought out.”

‘The real work begins'

State Sen. Dan Gibbs commends the work done to find common ground in the wilderness proposal, but said “the real work begins once the bill is introduced.” “I applaud Polis and stakeholder groups for coming together to find common ground” among user groups, he said. “It means dramatically different things for different people.” But now, it's up to Polis to present the bill on the House floor and translate conversations had in Summit and Eagle counties to the language of Washington, D.C. “I'll be interested to see how it will unfold,” Gibbs said. The reporting of the Aspen Times' Scott Condon contributed to this story. SDN reporter Janice Kurbjun can be contacted at (970) 668-4630 or at jkurbjun@summitdaily.com.

Wilderness, Wild and Scenic River Stewards Receive Forest Service Awards

WASHINGTON, October 18, 2010 -- The USDA Forest Service recently recognized the outstanding contributions and accomplishments of six individuals and four groups regarding their stewardship of National Forest System wilderness and wild and scenic rivers.

"The exceptional efforts and leadership of these dedicated employees and colleagues will allow us to continue our legacy of quality wilderness management and the protection of wild and scenic rivers," said Tom Tidwell, the Chief of the Forest Service. "Their work will help ensure an enduring wilderness resource for future generations."

The 2010 National Wilderness Awards recognize accomplishments in the fields of education, research and leadership to keep Forest Service wilderness areas in their natural, wild state. Recipients include:

• Stephen Hendricks - Aldo Leopold Award for Overall Wilderness Stewardship Program. Hendricks, of Asheville, N.C., recently retired as the forest planner for the National Forests in North Carolina.
• The Wilderness Institute, University of Montana -Aldo Leopold Group Award for Overall Wilderness Stewardship for Wilderness Stewardship Challenge accomplishments in Idaho, Montana and North Dakota.
• Clem Pope - Bob Marshall Award for Individual Champion of Wilderness Stewardship. Pope, of McCall, Idaho, is the Wilderness Manager for the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness, Payette National Forest, Idaho.
• Sitka Conservation Society, Sitka, Alaska - Bob Marshall Award for Group Champion of Wilderness Stewardship.
• Laurie Matthews - Wilderness Education Leadership Award. Matthews, of Challis, Idaho, is the Wilderness Program Manager on the Middle Fork Ranger District, Salmon-Challis National Forest, Idaho.
• Rusty Thompson - Traditional Skills and Minimum Tool Leadership. Thompson, of Entiat, Wash., is the Trail Program Manager for the Wenatchie Ranger District, Okanongan Wenatchee National Forests.
• White Mountain National Forest (New Hampshire) Wilderness Team - Traditional Skills and Minimum Tool Leadership group award for basic principles of wilderness stewardship. The minimum tool concept involves the use of traditional or primitive tools to keep wilderness areas in their natural, wild state.

The National 2010 Wild and Scenic River awards recognize stewardship accomplishments to promote and protect the Forest Service's Wild and Scenic Rivers Program, which currently manages 119 wild and scenic rivers. These rivers provide outstanding scenery, critical habitat for fish and wildlife, offer recreational opportunities, and sustain water resources for a growing population. Recipients include:

• The Huron-Manistee National Forests (Mich. - Outstanding Stewardship of River Resources.
• Mollie Chaudet - Outstanding River Manger. Chaudet, of Bend, Ore., is the wild and scenic river coordinator and NEPA litigation coordinator for the Deschutes National Forest, Ore.
• Amy Unthank - Line Officer/Staff Wild and Scenic River Leadership Award. The award recognizes her work as Regional Fisheries Program Leader in the Southwestern Region based in Albuquerque. Unthank is now the National Fisheries Program Leader in Washington, D.C.

A Lifetime Achievement Award will also be presented to Jackie Diedrich, the agency's National Wild and Scenic River Program Manager. Diedrich, from Portland, Ore., is recognized as an international leader for wild and scenic rivers and currently serves as the Council Chair for the federal Interagency Wild and Scenic Rivers Coordinating Council. The award recognizes her 33 years with the agency as a wild and scenic river steward of great insight and a champion of partner collaborations to benefit and preserve wild and scenic rivers.

The Forest Service wilderness program is a major component of the National Wilderness Preservation System which encompasses all federal land management agencies that manage wilderness areas. This system includes 756 wilderness units with more than 109 million acres. For more information, please visit www.wilderness.net. For more information about The National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, visit www.rivers.gov.

The mission of the USDA Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation's forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. The Agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to State and private landowners, and maintains the largest forestry research organization in the world.

Contact:

Press Office
(202) 205-1134

Society for Wilderness Stewardship Launched!

Society for Wilderness Stewardship Launched

BELLINGHAM, WA September 3, 2010 – This week marks the 46th anniversary of the Wilderness Act and launch of the Society for Wilderness Stewardship, a national professional society for wilderness managers, scientists, rangers, educators and stewards. The Society for Wilderness Stewardship is the first and only national membership organization dedicated to informing, uniting, and supporting the extensive institutions, organizations and individuals actively engaged in stewardship of America’s National Wilderness Preservation System.

The Society for Wilderness Stewardship is a national, not-for-profit, member-based organization. It unites a wide range of people to share knowledge, expertise and abilities in support of local and national wilderness management and stewardship activities. The Society was envisioned and launched in support of both wilderness and the professionals who are connected to it. It supports best management practices, development of new stewardship frameworks, and an inter-disciplinary mission committed to the long-term health and benefits of wilderness for the nation. To find out more, visit www.wildernessstewardship.org

“The National Wilderness Preservation System benefits from professionals who share a strong passion for wilderness and an appreciation of its intrinsic values and benefits,” said Don Hunger, board chairperson. “What's needed is a forum where those individuals can work together to examine and address wilderness stewardship issues, and provide an institutional framework and legacy to ensure future generations enjoy the same benefits and opportunities. The Society for Wilderness Stewardship provides that forum.”

Integrity of the National Wilderness Preservation System is challenged by being understaffed and underfunded. It is facing ecological trends including exponential growth of invasive species, global climate change, and heavy, concentrated use of environmentally sensitive areas. In addition, changing demographics have created both challenges and opportunities to connect people with wilderness. Please consider joining and shaping the Society for Wilderness Stewardship to build upon the incredible legacy we’re entrusted with for the future.