UPDATE, 5/11/07:

Another alert, this time from the Natural Resources Defense Council:

Help save wild Colorado’s archeological treasures

The Bush administration wants to sacrifice more than one million acres of outstanding wildlife habitat and archeological sites in northwest Colorado to destructive oil and gas drilling and off-road vehicle use.

We need your immediate action to block this proposal, which would cause irreparable damage to fragile wildlands including the world-renowned Vermillion Basin, home to one of the most spectacular collections of ancient petroglyphs in the country.

Please click here to tell the Bush administration to protect our natural and cultural heritage by banning harmful drilling and off-road vehicle use in the Vermillion Basin and all other wilderness-quality lands in this region.

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Via The Wilderness Society:

Colorado Wildlands at Risk

From sweeping sagebrush basins to rainbow-colored badlands, the Little Snake Resource Area boasts some of Colorado’s most rugged and wild landscapes; world-class elk, mule deer, and pronghorn hunting; ancient petroglyph-filled canyons; and excellent hiking and whitewater rafting.

We need to let the BLM know that this area should be protected. Alarmingly, the BLM has published a draft management plan that would relegate most of these lands to irresponsible oil and gas development, road building, and off-road vehicle (ORV) use.

The damaging effects of this proposal to the wide-open landscapes and rural western lifestyle of the region would be widespread and long-term. That’s why we need your help today - to take action and convince the BLM to adopt a responsible, sustainable plan that will protect wildlife and special places like the Vermillion Basin proposed wilderness.

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Tagged: environment environmental environmentalism environmentalist action alerts the wilderness society wildlife wilderness conservation Colorado Little Snake Resource Area BLM oil gas development off-road vehicle ORV NRDC Natural Resources Defense Council

UPDATE, 3/6/07:

The Campaign for America’s Wilderness also sent out an alert on this topic:

Help protect America’s oldest National Forest, the Shoshone!

The lands of the Shoshone National Forest were first protected in 1891, making it our oldest federally protected forest. The Shoshone was protected for its exceptional beauty and a rich biodiversity rarely found in any protected area. Roosevelt, a strong conservation advocate, appreciated this historic forest, which is now under review. You can help perpetuate Roosevelt’s vision for this wild forest; tell the forest managers to support wilderness in the Shoshone!

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Via The Wilderness Society:

Shoshone National Forest, Yellowstone’s Eastern Keystone

The Shoshone National Forest, which borders the Eastern edge of Yellowstone National Park, contains some of the wildest land in the Lower 48 and is a key component of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and the stunning wildlife, fisheries, and incredible recreation for which this region is known. Now the Shoshone is developing a new management plan which will help determine how this National Forest is protected - or not - for the next fifteen years. Help us ensure that this part of the greater Yellowstone ecosystem gets the protection it needs!

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Tagged: environment environmental environmentalism environmentalist action alerts the wilderness society Shoshone National Forest Yellowstone conservation Yellowstone National Park The Campaign for America’s Wilderness

Via The Wilderness Society:

Help Arctic Refuge Win Permanent Protection

One of the most storied lands in our nation’s National Wildlife Refuge System is that of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, which hosts some of America’s most spectacular wildlife. Polar bears, grizzly bears, wolves, and muskoxen are just a few of the wildlife species that rely on the Refuge for their habitat.

With the start of the 110th Congress, we now have a new and historic opportunity to garner substantial support for an Arctic Refuge Wilderness bill, which will permanently protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

Reps. Markey (D-MA) and Ramstad (R-MN) have introduced a bill that will do just that. Called the Udall-Eisenhower Arctic Wilderness Act, H.R. 39, the bill will preserve the Coastal Plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge as Wilderness. H.R. 39 states “that it is the policy of the United States…to do everything possible to protect and preserve this magnificent natural ecosystem so that it may be bequeathed in its unspoiled natural condition to future generations of Americans” (HR 39).

This measure could win permanent protection for the Arctic Refuge. Take action today by clicking here.

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Tagged: environment environmental environmentalism environmentalist action alerts the wilderness society Arctic Refuge National Wildlife Refuge System rctic National Wildlife Refuge Arctic Refuge Wilderness bill conservation endangered species oil drilling climate change global warming

Via The Wilderness Society:

Stop the National Forest Sale

For the second year in a row, the President’s Forest Service budget includes a proposal to sell off nearly 270,000 acres of National Forest lands in 35 states. You and other WildAlert subscribers helped stop a similar scheme proposed last year.

Thankfully, Reps Ben Chandler (D-KY) and Ric Keller (R-FL) have written a letter to the Budget Committee opposing the land sale. But they need more co-signers. Click here to ask your Representative to sign on in opposition to this ill-considered scheme.

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Tagged: environment environmental environmentalism environmentalist action alerts the wilderness society national forests land sale budget conservation George W. Bush

Via The Wilderness Society:

Please Fund our Public Lands

The President’s budget, delivered to Congress on Monday, presents a vision for America’s public lands that is so out of touch with America’s conservation values as to be an altered state of reality.

It proposes to sell off National Forest and BLM lands; cut deeply into funding for our National Wildlife Refuges and the National Landscape Conservation System (National Monuments) and eviscerate funding for endangered species, and land acquisition programs. And, oh yes, the budget assumes $7 billion in revenue from oil development in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

Please ask your Congressional Delegation to fix this budget.

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Tagged: environment environmental environmentalism environmentalist action alerts the wilderness society public land budget 2008 budget Congress 110th Congress George W. Bush BLM Bureau of Land Management National Landscape Conservation System National Monuments ESA Endangered Species Act endangered species funding

UPDATE, 2/26/07:

Earthjustice just sent out an alert on this issue as well; you can take action here.

Protect America’s Rainforest

The Tongass National Forest in Alaska, America’s largest national forest, is a temperate rainforest, and provides rare old-growth habitat for bald eagles, grizzly bears, salmon, and other wildlife. This awe-inspiring landscape is considered to be the crown jewel of America’s national forest system.

For over 50 years, timber companies have had access to the biggest and best trees in the Tongass, leaving American taxpayers to foot the bill for the unprofitable sales. But as a result of a successful lawsuit brought by Earthjustice in Alaska, the Forest Service is currently revising the forest plan for the Tongass, a move that will have huge implications for the future of this irreplaceable treasure.

Your comments are needed to ensure that the Forest Service moves away from the unsustainable logging practices of the past. Please take action to support protecting the many roadless areas of this magnificent coastal rainforest for generations to come.

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Via The Wilderness Society:

Save America’s Rainforest from the Timber Industry

One of our greatest natural treasures - Alaska’s Tongass National Forest - is targeted for massive clear-cutting. The Forest Service has proposed a plan that caters to the timber industry and would sacrifice much of this treasured forest’s critical wildlife habitat.

But before their plan is finalized, they must accept public comment. You can help us protect this magical place with its towering, ancient trees. Take action today. Don’t miss this window of opportunity! Demand permanent protection now!

More info here.

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Tagged: environment environmental environmentalism environmentalist action alerts the wilderness society logging Alaska Tongass National Forest clear-cutting wildlife conservation

Via The Wilderness Society:

Help Make Roadless Protection Law

Reps. Jay Insee (D-WA) and Jim Ramsted (R-MN) will soon introduce the National Forest Roadless Area Conservation Act of 2007 which would put into law protections for undeveloped national forest areas, protecting wildlife habitat, clean air and water, and more. They hope to have 140 co-sponsors on the bill before its introduction. Please ask your Representative to co-sponsor this bill.

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Tagged: environment environmental environmentalism environmentalist action alerts the wilderness society roadless rule National Forest Roadless Area Conservation Act conservation national forests

Via The Wilderness Society:

Attention, Congress!

The new Congress has been moving forward quickly on a number of fronts.

That’s why The Wilderness Society’s public policy staff will be on Capitol Hill next week distributing a briefing book about the key issues we work on, the issues you’ve shown through your actions and donations that you care about.

We need your help, to urge your delegation to read the book and to take note of the most important federal land management issues facing the 110th Congress.

You can read the whole briefing book here.

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Tagged: environment environmental environmentalism environmentalist action alerts the wilderness society 110th congress congress policy conservation

Via The Wilderness Society:

Help National Forests Get Critical Funding

The 110th Congress must act quickly to reauthorize the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act, which provides consistent funding for county governments and schools located near National Forests and supports beneficial restoration work on our public lands.

The comment deadline is tomorrow. Please take a minute now to ask your Representative to continue this vital funding for rural counties, schools and restoration work in our National Forests, with no land sales or other environmentally destructive strings attached.

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Tagged: environment environmental environmentalist environmentalism action+alerts the+wilderness+society funding forests national+forests congress 110th+congress

UPDATE, 5/16/07, via The Wilderness Society:

Tell the BLM not to allow motorists on Steens Mountain’s wilderness

Situated in the southeast corner of Oregon, Steens Mountain towers one vertical mile above the high desert. Here, one can explore glaciated valleys replete with majestic bighorn sheep, stands of quaking aspen, and alpine meadows where golden eagles soar high above. Steens is an ideal place for quiet backcountry recreation and experiences, and is a jewel of our spectacular National Landscape Conservation System.

Recently, the BLM released a draft plan to designate where motorized vehicles are allowed within Steens. The plan does very little to protect Steens, even though Congress created a law in 2000 instructing the BLM to manage the area in such a way so as to conserve and protect its natural integrity for future generations.

Please edit our letter [here] to reflect your views, then click on “Send this Message” to help us ensure that the integrity of Steens Mountain is preserved for future generations.

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Via The Wilderness Society:

Keep Steens Spectacular

Nestled in the southeast corner of Oregon, Steens Mountain towers one vertical mile above the high desert. Here, one can explore glaciated valleys replete with majestic bighorn sheep, stands of quaking aspen, and alpine meadows where golden eagles soar high above. Steens is an ideal place for quiet backcountry recreation and experiences, and is a jewel in our National Landscape Conservation System.

The Bureau of Land Management is beginning to plan where motorized vehicles will be allowed on Steens. What the BLM is considering could seriously undermine the very qualities that make Steens special by dramatically increasing off-road vehicle (ORV) use and officially permitting ORVs in currently protected Wilderness and Wilderness Study Areas!

Let’s nip this in the bud before the BLM formalizes its proposal. Click here to take action.

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Tagged: environment environmental environmentalism environmentalist action+alerts the+wilderness+society orv off+road+vehicles blm oregon steens steens+mountains