The wilderness paradox

What a pleasure it was to step onto federally designated wilderness earlier this month in the state of Idaho. Read and ponder this

It;s a big 50th anniversary

50 years ago and a world of lawmakers who put aside bickering and political showmanship to do the right thing - for the American land and our natural heritage. This editorial talks about the anniversary in fine fashion. Today's generation of legislators care more for photo ops and bickering than they do in protexcting our natural heritage.

Bruce Babbitt: Road to Nowhere still a bad idea

Izembek National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska, has wilderness. The Congress has said so. But, still, the infamous "road to nowhere" threatens to wipe out this wild place. Bruce  Babbitt, former Interior secretary, tells about the boondoggle in this op-ed.

Idaho F&G closes another wolf-killing program

Actually, it's just been shut down for the season. The "hunter," after all, did take out nine wolves in the wilderness of the Middle Fork, Salmon River (public land!). And this article quotes the F&G boss as saying he wants a balance to allow the region's Elk population to continue growing (so that F&G can sell more hunting licenses and get more money from them for its operating budget!). This whole thing isn't about science. And Idaho F&G, like most state wildlife agencies, likes to talk about "harvesting" game, as if they are part of a crop of corn or spuds or sugar beets. What a debacle.

Give new Adirondack Forest Preeserve lands a wilderness classification, groups say

They're right, as a matter of fact. True wilderness, whether in New York State's Adirondack Park or on federal public land, is the surest and most responsible category for wild lands. The media likes to categorize the decision-making process as some sort of "debate," but there is no real debate: Wild places deserve to be protected as wilderness.

Dave Foreman: Wilderness, self-willed land

I've been reading and listening to Dve Foreman for two decades. Here's his latest "Around the Campfire" essay.

Around the campfire with Uncle Dave: Wilderness, self-willed land

I have heard some mighty fine speeches from Dave Foreman and consider him a true friend. Few conservationists today manage to speak up for the land as Dave does. He continues that track in this essay.

BLM releases draft management plan for S.W. Idaho wilderness

Owyhee County in the southwest corner of Idaho is a rugged and biologically rich region; one that is deserving of federal Wilderness Act protection - and then some. The federal Bureau of Land Management has issued a draft plan for management of these lands as well as many miles of Wild and Scenic River segments.

Rocky Mountain Front Heritage Act reintroduced in Congress

Montana Sen. Max Baucus rolled out the happy dollar data for the reporter who crafted this article. I cringe, though, when I read the phrase "motorized access" or such has been included in pending legislation. No difference here.

Idaho House panel endorses Church Wilderness trail resolution

OK, but as a former Idahoan transplanted by a career in the U.S. Air Force, I have seen little understanding among Idaho legislators of what wilderness is all about in the first place. For most, it all boils down to greed - the dollar bill. I think it's a safe bet that Frank Church himself would beg to differ. You can read about the Idaho House's push for trail rehabilitation in the Church-River of No Return right here.