We awarded the Red River Gorge Climbers’ Coalition (RRGCC) a grant to protect the spectacular cliffline, world-class climbing, and natural beauty of the 102-acre Bald Rock Recreational Preserve from the threat of private development. In 2017, they purchased the Kentucky property, securing access to a popular set of world-renowned climbing areas—including the Motherlode, the Chocolate…
President Obama designated the Bears Ears National Monument, permanently protecting 1,350,000 acres of public land in southeastern Utah. The Bears Ears landscape is home to thousands of Native American cultural sites, which inspired a coalition of tribes to band together to push for the designation. The region also boasts world-class rock climbing, mountain biking, hiking,…
President Obama added to his significant conservation legacy by designating the Gold Butte National Monument, permanently protecting 296,937 acres of public land in southern Nevada. Gold Butte – also considered Nevada’s piece of the Grand Canyon – includes rugged mountains, Joshua tree and Mojave yucca forests, outcroppings of sandstone, and braided washes that turn into…
Trout Unlimited-Alaska used Conservation Alliance funding to participate in the management planning process for the Tongass National Forest, the largest National Forest in the US. In December, the Forest Service released its new management plan for the Tongass. The new plan prohibits old-growth logging on 1.9 million acres of land, protecting 77 watersheds important for…
We made grants to Pacific Wild and Raincoast Conservation Society to organize opposition to the proposed Northern Gateway oil pipeline, which would have run through the heart of British Columbia’s Great Bear Rainforest. We had previously funded organizations that successfully protected 2.5 million acres of land in this coastal temperate rainforest. In November, the Canadian…
The Thompson Divide Coalition worked closely with community stakeholders to advocate for the cancellation of illegally issued oil and gas leases in the Thompson Divide area of Colorado’s White River National Forest. In November 2016, the BLM canceled 25 leases, permanently protecting 33,000 acres of public land from oil and gas development. In addition, the…
Western Rivers Conservancy used Conservation Alliance funding to acquire the Olguin property in Colorado’s San Luis Valley. This acquisition permanently protects 1,330 acres and four river miles along the Rio Grande and Conejos River. The property is situated at the confluence of the two rivers, directly across the Rio Grande from the Brownie Hills Property WRC purchased…
In June, 2016, Alaska Governor Bill Walker vetoed funding for the Susitna River Dam Project, halting the proposed 735-foot-tall mega-dam. Conservation Alliance grantee Wild Salmon Center worked with the Susitna River Coalition to pressure the Governor to stop the project. The dam would have cost at least $6 billion, in addition to affecting Alaska’s fourth largest…
Western Rivers Conservancy used Conservation Alliance funding to acquire the Brownie Hills property in Colorado’s San Luis Valley. This acquisition permanently protects 16,707 acres and four river miles along the Rio Grande River. The acquisition also provides critical river access for recreation in an area with very little public riverland. Situated on the Rio Grande floodplain,…
Save Mount Diablo used Conservation Alliance funding to acquire Curry Canyon Ranch in California’s East Bay Area. This property permanently protects 1,080 acres adjacent to Mount Diablo State Park, which surrounds the property on three sides. This acquisition fills four significant trail gaps along the 30-mile Diablo Trail. Save Mount Diablo is now working to transfer…
