Wilderness

Deer eating an orange on a Banff street

Returning to a Wilder World

The pandemic induced an accidental 'rewilding' in many places as animals took over cities and streets devoid of humans. As we emerge from our isolation, can we co-exist peacefully?

August 25, 2021 - High Country News

Angeles National Forest

National Forests Were Highly Popular in 2020

New data shows more people than ever visited national forests and grasslands last year, according to a Forest Service report

June 1, 2021 - U.S. Forest Service

Jackson Hole

In Wyoming, Vast Open Spaces Meet Extreme Gaps Between Rich and Poor

The story of Jackson Hole, Wyoming, illustrates the class tensions that arise when an idealized vision of life close to nature butts up against the realities of wealth, privilege, and social inequality.

March 26, 2020 - Outside

Rocky Mountain National Park

The Private Landowners of the West's Vast Open Spaces

Wealthy buyers are snapping up large parcels of land and imposing new rules. Residents say restricting access is not fair and the actions are affecting communities and their way of life.

July 9, 2019 - The New York Times

Desert Rain

And Now, Some Good News for the Environment

It's not all gloom and doom for the environment.

May 17, 2019 - Outside

Los Angeles Traffic - The Newhall Pass

Massive Newhall Ranch Deal Will Expand L.A. County's Footprint

FivePoint Holdings will pay $25 million for environmental preservation, in exchange for access to the undeveloped L.A. County land.

October 20, 2017 - Los Angeles Times

Wilderness Trails

No Dogs Allowed at One Colorado State Park

A state park in the Colorado Springs area tried allowing dogs on trails over the summer, but too many people complained about the impact of the canines on the wilderness experience.

September 22, 2017 - The Denver Post

Forester Pass, Sierra Nevada

Building Trails

Designing trails means serving many masters. Those who do it professionally must balance aesthetics with practical concerns like drainage.

March 4, 2017 - 99% Invisible

Jamaica Bay

Jamaica Bay: Wilderness in the City

Created so people could "experience nature in the midst of crowds," New York's Jamaica Bay National Wildlife Refuge embodies the characteristics of all modern national parks: abundant, welcoming, and threatened.

August 27, 2016 - Grist

Mountain Bike

Environmentalists Disagree On Bikes in the Wild

Environmental groups are split over legislation that would remove the nationwide ban on bicycles in the wild.

April 13, 2016 - The Oregonian

Obama to Open Controversial Atlantic Region to Offshore Drilling

A mere day after the Interior Department announced it would permanently block drilling in much of the Arctic Refuge by designating it as wilderness, it proposed allowing drilling in the Gulf, along Atlantic coast, and surprisingly, offshore Alaska.

January 28, 2015 - McClatchy Washington Bureau

House Approves Defense Bill; Compromises on Protections of Public Lands

As part of a compromise, the most ambitious public lands package in years was approved earlier this week by the House of Representatives as an addendum to a must-pass defense bill.

December 8, 2014 - Los Angeles Times

pallets of green oil barrels stacked

How Cities Save Nature

According to Kaid Benfield of the Natural Resource Defense Council, the best way to save our natural wonders is by living and investing in cities.

September 15, 2014 - NRDC Switchboard

Fifty Years of the Wilderness Act

Fifty years ago, Lyndon B. Johnson signed into law The Wilderness Act, at the time protecting more than nine million acres of wild lands throughout the nation.

September 2, 2014 - Los Angeles Times

High-End Real Estate Makes Wildfires Worse

In Colorado and the West, the most desirable real estate is also the most likely to burn, writes Michael Kodas.

August 8, 2012 - OnEarth

The Campsite as Place

This piece from Places delves into the history of the campsite, their use of space, and their role in modern culture.

June 2, 2011 - Places

US, Canada and Mexico Collaborate on Wilderness Preservation

A new agreement signed this week by all three governments creates an international committee to collaborate on wilderness management.

November 16, 2009 - WorldChanging

The New Oregon Wilderness

Oregon has just received a wilderness designation on more than 200,000 acres of land. Environmentalists are welcoming the move, which they hope will protect sensitive lands from development and misuse.

April 8, 2009 - The Oregonian

Huge Wilderness Conservation Bill Passes House

A bill heading for an expected signature on the President's desk will effectively protect 2 million acres of wilderness in the U.S. Conservationists are applauding the move, while others worry the bill will hold back alternative energy plans.

March 27, 2009 - The Christian Science Monitor

Rewilding the West

Eco-tourism in North Dakota? It's more likely than you may think, as conservationists, travel agents, and big landowners turn the dwindling population of the Great Plains into an asset.

June 10, 2008 - The New York Times

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