New Conservation Voices
 The Future
of Biodiversity: Wilderness & Beyond
by Gordon Orians, Profesor Emeritus at University of Washington
February 2007
The extent and nature of the world’s ecosystems
changed more rapidly during the last century than at any other time in human
history. Across a range of taxonomic groups, either population size, or range,
or both, or the majority of species is currently declining. Over the past few
hundred years, humans have increased the rate of species extinction by as much
as 1,000 times over the background rates typical over most of Earth’s history.
Parks, reserves, and wilderness areas are
critical components of our efforts to preserve Earth’s rich biological
diversity. For a variety of reasons, we will always need reserves and
wilderness areas, but, by themselves, they will not suffice to stem the loss of
biodiversity. Moreover, the vast
majority of threatened and endangered species in the United
States rely heavily on habitat
located on non-federal land.
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Read more...
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 Washington DC (02/24/10) — Today Congress takes the next step toward the creation of expanded low elevation wilderness and Wild and Scenic Rivers in Washington State, in order to protect valuable resources for local communities. Alpine Lakes Wilderness Additions and Pratt and Middle Fork Snoqualmie Rivers Protection Act (H.R. 1769) passed through the House Natural Resources Committee with strong bipartisan support. Congressman Dave Reichert (WA R-08) along with Senator Patty Murray (WA-D) proposed a 22,000-acre expansion to existing Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area and designation of both the Pratt and Middle Fork Snoqualmie Rivers as Wild and Scenic. WWC continues to work with key local stakeholder to voice the importance of protection, which has played an important role in passage.
Additions would add important protections for lower-elevation lands and
complete watersheds to what is one of the most visited wilderness areas
in the country. Less than an hour from Seattle, the wilderness and
river protections ensure access for many to participate in
countless recreational activitiest including hiking, camping, kayaking,
rafting, fishing, hunting and more. Protections also ensure access to
fresh, clean water for local communities, important natural habitat for
fish and wildlife, and a sustainable economic benefit for local
communities through recreation.
Local stakeholders understood the need for protections and Washington
Wilderness Coalition works to demonstrate their voice. WWC has
collected letters of support from local elected officials, recreation
and conservation groups, hunting and fishing groups, mountain biking
organizations, religious leaders, as well as countless letters and
postcards from local constituents. Today's vote is a step in the right
direction, and now the next step is for the House and Senate bills to
be brought before the full House and Senate for a vote.
You can continue to voice the importance of wilderness and river protection by CLICKING HERE .
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Take Action
Please sign our online petition supporting protections for the Wild Olympics!
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