Southern Appalachian Forest Coalition led this campaign to protect 55,000 acres in Virginia’s Jefferson National Forest as Wilderness, Wilderness Study Area or National Scenic Area (43,000 acres is now Wilderness). A stretch of the Appalachian Trail runs through the newly protected area, which also boasts views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Situated 20 miles east of Bend, Oregon, The Badlands is the city’s backyard Wilderness area. Oregon Natural Desert Association worked for nearly 20 years to secure Wilderness protection for the 30,000-acre area notable for its ancient junipers, volcanic rock formations, and Native American cultural sites.
Oregon Natural Desert Association spearheaded this campaign to protect the 8,600-acrea Spring Basin Wilderness. The area lies adjacent to a nine-mile stretch of the Wild and Scenic John Day River, and is borders on three sides by a 30,000-acre holding managed by the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs for wildlife and recreation.
Oregon Wild led the effort to secure Wilderness protection for 128,000 acres of public land on the flanks of Oregon’s iconic Mount Hood. This effort also protects 80 miles of streams in the Mount Hood National Forest.
Working closely with a coalition of hunters and anglers, Oregon Wild played an important role in securing Wilderness protection for 13,700 acres of old-growth forest surrounding the headwaters of the Elk River on Oregon’s Southern coast.
The Wilderness Society-Idaho partnered with other organizations to secure Wilderness protection for 517,000 acres of public lands in Southwestern Idaho’s Owyhee Canyonlands. This effort also protected 315 miles of rivers in the area.
Western Colorado Congress, in partnership with Colorado Environmental Coalition, led the local effort to establish the 200,000-acre Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area, which includes a 66,000-acre Dominguez Canyon Wilderness. The area is notable for its redrock sandstone cliffs, waterfalls, wildlife, and cultural sites.
Colorado Environmental Coalition led the effort to secure Wilderness protection for 250,000 acres of Rocky Mountain National Park’s backcountry, 94 percent of the park. This success concludes an effort that started in the 1970s, and now gives the park the Wilderness status it deserves.
California Wilderness Coalition and Friends of the River partnered on this effort to protect nearly 200,000 acres of Wilderness in Riverside County, California, including additions to the Joshua Tree National Park Wilderness. The effort also protected 31 miles of streams.
California Wilderness Coalition and Friends of the River, working in close partnership with The Wilderness Society and other organizations succeeded in securing Wilderness protection for 450,000 acres of public lands in the Eastern Sierra and White Mountains of California. This campaign also protected 73 miles of rivers, including the Owens River headwaters.
