From wilderness to your tap

May 16, 2025-

When most people turn on their taps at home, they are unaware of the journey the clean water flowing from it has taken to reach them. Whether pumped from deep in the ground, collected from streams and rivers into reservoirs, or traversing hundreds of miles through complex networks of aqueduct and pipes, that water all comes from somewhere. And for over 60 million of us, that somewhere is a National Forest.

While National Forests cover only 8% of the land area of the lower 48 states, 18% of the water supply in those states originates in National Forests and Grasslands. In western states that number is much higher at 50% of the water supply. About a quarter of this total supply from National Forests comes from designated wilderness areas.

If you recall your 3rd grade lessons about the water cycle, these statistics shouldn’t come as a surprise: most watersheds originate high in the mountains, landscapes that are often protected as public lands. But as Congress considers selling off public lands as part of budget reconciliation bills, the economic value of these water sources is a critical part of the equation. A conservative estimate of the value of clean water supplied from National Forests every single year is $3.7 billion.

New York City has the largest unfiltered drinking water supply in the United States, serving over 9 million people. In the 1990s, as the quality of their drinking water supply was impacted by upstream development, the city was confronted with the prospect of having to construct a filtration plant which would cost upwards of $10 billion to build and $1 million each day to operate. Instead, they invested in conservation initiatives across the watersheds supplying their water: buying land to prevent development, stabilizing stream channels to prevent erosion, and upgrading upstream wastewater treatment systems. In total, the city has spent $2.5 billion on these efforts since 1997, a fraction of what it would have cost to build the filtration plant and operate it for the past almost 30 years.

This case study is a great example of how the cost of protecting the landscapes where our water comes from is far less than the cost of treating that water to be clean and safe if those landscapes are developed and their watersheds are degraded. Protecting watersheds, including those which supply public drinking water, is just one of the conservation values that we focus our work on at the Trust. It’s no coincidence that many of our projects are named after the creeks they protect. Healthy ecosystems provide a more sophisticated water filtration system than any plant we construct, and investing in their protection has benefits that ripple across all areas of life, from the air we breathe to opportunities for adventure and solitude.

Celebrating a season of growth: An announcement from Brad Borst

May 2, 2025-

This week our spring newsletter is hitting mailboxes across the country. In it we celebrate how our recent work is benefiting public access, connected landscapes, and protected watersheds in some of your favorite wilderness areas; get into the weeds with the anatomy of a Trust project; talk about how our work is affected by changes in national policy; and meet Trust supporters Jack and Sheri Overall.

It also includes an important announcement from our president Brad Borst: “After so many years at the helm, I have decided that this coming year will be my last as president of The Wilderness Land Trust. These nine years with the Trust have been one of the most fulfilling chapters of my conservation career, and working with and getting to know all of you has made it a joyful one. Just as spring brings fresh ideas, fresh energy, and fresh perspectives, I look forward to seeing what new growth will come in this next season, both for the Trust and myself.”

“For nearly a decade, Brad has guided the Trust through a remarkable period of growth and transformation. We are deeply grateful for his unwavering dedication and thoughtful leadership,” says Sarah Shaw, Chair of the Trust’s Board of Directors. “Over the coming year, as Brad and the team continue advancing the Trust’s mission, our board will undertake a national search to find the next outstanding leader to carry the organization into the future.”

“I have every confidence this transition will strengthen the organization as we continue to evolve and grow. With a heart full of gratitude, I hope you will join me in celebrating all that we have accomplished together during the past decade, and in looking forward to this exciting new chapter for The Wilderness Land Trust” says Brad.

Is a virtual wilderness experience really a wilderness experience?

April 18, 2025-

Unless you’re a wilderness practitioner or researcher, you probably haven’t been keeping up with the debate playing out in the pages of the International Journal of Wilderness about the intersection of virtual reality and wilderness.

Through a series of articles, Keely Fisher, a researcher at Ohio State University, and writer Paul Keeling explore how the advent of virtual reality (VR) is impacting our connection to and conceptualizations of wilderness. Through these VR experiences, users can traverse a trail or take in the views from a mountain peak through a “computer-simulated environment using graphics and specialty hardware that allows for a person to control their point of view and creates a completely immersive and realistic experience”.

Fisher points out that people have always related to wilderness through documentation of it, whether in paintings, photos, or video. Experiencing these representations of wilderness can often evoke the same emotions as in-person wilderness experiences, like awe, wonder, and inspiration. Fisher’s research shows that these emotions can also be triggered by VR experiences of wilderness, as can many of the (physical and mental) health benefits of time spent in nature, especially for those not physically able to visit wilderness due to age or disability. In short, Fisher concludes that while VR and real-world wilderness experiences are not the same, VR can evoke some of the same benefits, including fostering a connection between people and wild places which can be important in their protection.

Keeling, on the other hand, views VR representations of wilderness as antithetical to the idea of wilderness itself: “What is admirable and valuable in wilderness are (among other things) the other-than-human forces that have contributed to its making independently of human purposes. A wilderness experience machine, on the other hand, is wholly the product of human purpose, intention, and design, which explain its very existence.” For Keeling, while experiencing the documentation of wilderness through a VR experience may give the viewer some of the same psychological and health benefits as an in-person experience of the same place, the fabrication of the experience is not equal to the experience itself, and while “such virtual wilderness experience might point to real wilderness as something worth connecting to but would not itself be a connection with wilderness at all.”

As is the case for many academic debates, their back and forth becomes semantic at points. But it reminded me of the diversity of perspectives and experiences of wilderness that we often see reflected when talking to our community of Trust supporters and partners. While designated wilderness is defined in the 1964 Wilderness Act, what the concept of wilderness means, and how we experience it, is different for each of us. For some, their connection to wilderness comes from experiences in the wildest landscapes they can find, far from crowded trailheads or cell service. For some, car camping in a state park or a hike on a close-to-home trail evoke the same feelings of appreciation for the natural world that drive their support of wilderness conservation. And for others, it is that wilderness exists absent of people and their experience of it that makes it so valuable. Our own personal relationships to wilderness are also likely to shift over our lifetimes, as our physical abilities may change, as we bring along small children, or as where we live and what is accessible to us change.

One of the most inspiring parts of our work at the Trust are these conversations we have when we sit down with a donor, landowner, agency or community partner and see where our own unique sets of values and experiences overlap with the Trust’s mission. No one perspective is more valuable than another. What is considered wilderness and how we should relate to it isn’t dictated in the pages of an academic journal, it is a reflection of our ever evolving personal and collective understanding of it. So whether the idea of putting on a set of VR goggles to revisit a favorite trail appeals to you personally, it doesn’t mean it can’t be a meaningful experience for someone else. Wilderness itself brings together people with diverse backgrounds and points of view, and we should ensure that we create space in our community of wilderness lovers and advocates where all are welcome.

Join us in welcoming Liz Seger to our staff

April 4, 2025-

We are thrilled to welcome Liz Seger to our staff as our new Director of Philanthropy. Liz lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and brings outstanding experience and expertise in fundraising, as well as a love for wild places, to the Trust.

She holds a B.A. in Russian History and Religious Studies from the University of Kentucky, and a J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School. In previous roles she raised funds for higher education and the arts at the University of Michigan. She has also worked in law school admissions and as a public defender.

“Last year I thru hiked the Continental Divide Trail, from Mexico to Canada along the Rocky Mountains. The experience was nothing less than transformative. The beauty of the wild lands of the western United States speaks for itself; what I failed to anticipate was the generosity of the people we met along the way, and their passion for public lands,” she says. In addition to being an avid backpacker, Liz is also a writer of nature essays and fiction.

As our first Director of Philanthropy, Liz will help deepen the Trust’s impact and capacity to protect even more wild places across the country. “The greatest strength of the Trust is our staff – not only are they all smart, creative, and talented individuals, we are a close-knit team that collaborates and supports each other, both in work and life. Liz will be a wonderful addition to this team. I know she will genuinely connect with our community of supporters over their shared love of wilderness and public lands, and help propel the Trust into the future,” says Trust president Brad Borst.

If you would like to connect with Liz, you can reach her at Liz@wildernesslandtrust.org

Meeting a standard of excellence through land trust accreditation

March 21, 2025-

You may have noticed this seal of accreditation on our website or outreach materials in the past. Awarded by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, an independent program of the Land Trust Alliance, it is given to land trusts meeting the highest national standards for excellence and conservation permanence, demonstrating sound finances, ethical conduct, responsible governance, and lasting stewardship. The Wilderness Land Trust is proud to have earned it through hard work, and to be in the company of so many other wonderful accredited conservation organizations.

The Trust was first accredited in 2008, and renewed in 2013 and 2020. We’re pleased to announce that we’re currently pursuing our third renewal. The renewal process is rigorous, as the accreditation commission conducts an extensive review of our policies and programs.

As part of the renewal process, the Accreditation Commission invites public input from our community of landowners, partners, and supporters. Signed, written comments are relating to how The Wilderness Land Trust complies with national quality standards addressing the ethical and technical operation of the Trust are welcome (Find the full list of standards here).

To learn more about the accreditation program and to submit a comment, visit www.landtrustaccreditation.org, or email your comment to info@landtrustaccreditation.org. Comments may also be mailed to the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, Attn: Public Comments, 36 Phila Street, Suite 2, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.

Comments on The Wilderness Land Trust’s application will be most useful by April 15, 2025.

Thirteen properties protected in Colorado’s San Juan Mountains

March 7, 2025-

In southwest Colorado, the Uncompahgre Wilderness meets the American Flats, Handies Peak, and Red Cloud Peak Wilderness Study Areas in the high peaks and sweeping vistas of the San Juan Mountains. Remnants of the area’s rich mining history scatter the mountainsides, including the Alpine Loop Scenic Byway— 63 miles of old mining roads turned off-road vehicle destination, which winds through seven ghost towns and traverses two high passes. In addition to OHV users, the area draws recreationists of all kinds, with several 14,000’+ peaks, the famous views and summer wildflower displays of American Basin, Lake Fork of the Gunnison River, and many alpine lakes.

Two years ago, the Trust purchased a group of 17 properties adjoining the Red Cloud and Handies Peak Wilderness Study Areas. With access from the Alpine Loop byway, these properties were at high risk of development for cabins, resorts, and other commercial recreation uses. We recently built off the success of that project with the purchase of another 13 properties in the same area.

Looking at a map there are no shortage of private properties within the surrounding public lands. But with these projects we have strategically targeted properties within or adjacent to the wilderness study areas (WSAs). WSAs, managed by the BLM, are areas with “a minimum size, naturalness, and outstanding opportunities for recreation which make them eligible for designation as wilderness.” In 1976, Congress directed the BLM to evaluate all of its land for the presence of wilderness characteristics, and identified areas became WSAs. The establishment of a WSA served to identify areas for Congress to consider for addition to the National Wilderness Preservation System. Until Congress makes a decision to add or end consideration of a WSA, the BLM manages the area to ensure its suitability for designation as wilderness is not impaired.

Removing private inholdings, and their uses which are incompatible with wilderness, from proposed wilderness areas such as WSAs is important in paving the way for them to potentially become designated wilderness one day. With 30 properties total now protected in these potential wilderness areas, together we have made real progress in unifying this landscape, which will not only aid in its future prospects of designation, but have the immediate benefit of preserving almost 300 acres of fragile alpine ecosystems, creaks, and public trails.

Join us in welcoming Jordan Jimmie to our Board of Directors!

February 7, 2025-

The Wilderness Land Trust is excited to welcome Jordan Jimmie to our Board of Directors!

Jordan is a proud Diné (Navajo) raised in Flagstaff, Arizona. Near his childhood home, he grew up exploring Coconino National Forest with friends, which cultivated a reverence for our environment and a yearning for adventure. Jordan witnessed a small stream transform into a roaring torrent near Oak Creek Canyon in high school which encouraged him to study hydrology at the University of Arizona, earning a bachelor’s degree. Following college, he went on to earn a master’s degree in Forestry at the University of Montana – Missoula (UM), and another master’s degree in Biological and Ecological Engineering at Oregon State University (OSU).

His thesis at UM modeled the implications of surface water delivery in the Flathead Indian Irrigation Project with the then-recent enactment of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes water rights settlement and compact. His work at OSU looked into the drainage time of applied surface water to an active aquifer recharge project located in the lower Toppenish Creek watershed in Yakama Nation.

Currently, Jordan resides in Portland, OR, and is a Water Resources Designer at Otak, Inc. He fully enjoys spending time outdoors and is particularly keen on backpacking, trail running, angling, and exploring new areas in Oregon. Jordan can also be found weightlifting, reading about Native American history, and listening to music.

Join us in welcoming Jordan to our board of directors! We look forward to the leadership and expertise he will bring to the organization.

Public access to Colorado’s Chicago Basin protected!

January 24, 2025-

For most visitors, the hike to Chicago Basin in Colorado’s Weminuche Wilderness starts on the historic Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad as it winds 30 miles through the mountains. From the train stop, the Needle Creek Trail climbs steadily for 6 miles till the valley opens up into the sweeping views of Chicago Basin and the surrounding peaks. Due to its convenient access from the train and to its iconic 14,000+ ft peaks, the basin is a popular destination, with heavy use through the summer months for hikers, backpackers, and mountaineers.

Most of those visitors who come to Chicago Basin for the scenic beauty and quiet solitude of the wilderness are unaware that the trail they’re traversing crosses several privately owned inholding properties where that experience is not guaranteed. Without the protections of the surrounding wilderness, these properties could be developed with cabins, resorts, or mining and timber operations. Suddenly their wilderness experience could be dominated by the buzz of chainsaws, the thwomp of landing helicopters, or even the trail blocked and closed to the public. This lingering threat to public access, as well as the integrity of the fragile, high alpine ecosystem has driven our work in the Weminuche, along with wilderness areas across the county.

The Trust recently protected our 15th property in the Weminuche Wilderness with the acquisition of a 30-acre private inholding property with both Needle Creek and the Needle Creek Trail running through it. With flat, buildable stream-side sites the property was at risk of development. Now protected, public access on the trail to Chicago Basin has been ensured for future generations to enjoy. Needle Creek is an important tributary to the Animas River. This water source, along with vibrant aspen groves that stretch from the creek up the slopes of the Needle Mountains, create habit for a wide range of wildlife. The Needle Creek property scores high for climate change resilience, biodiversity, and landscape connectivity, all important conservation values that will be protected as wilderness.

Now that the property has been acquired by the Trust, we will begin restoration work this summer to remove the remnants of a hunting camp left by a previous owner to restore it to its wilderness character prior to transfer to public ownership and addition to the wilderness. This project builds off the nearby 7-acre Emerald Lake property that the Trust acquired in 2018 and transferred to be added to the wilderness area in 2023.

California’s Mount Lassic Wilderness now complete with last remaining inholding removed!

January 10, 2025-

The Wilderness Land Trust recently acquired the last remaining inholding in northern California’s Mount Lassic Wilderness, completing the wilderness area by removing the lingering threat of development on the 160-acre Bear Creek private inholding property. This is the 18th wilderness area the Trust has completed.

The Mount Lassic Wilderness is of significant ecological importance, with several uncommon habitat features. Rare alpine vernal pools and unusual serpentine soils have created unique habitat conditions home to rare species. The endangered Lassics Lupine depends on the sufficient snowpack and shelter from summer heat found in the Mount Lassic Wilderness to survive. The area is also home to the northern spotted owl, blue grouse, marten, fisher, mountain lion, black bear, and goshawk. Old-growth forests of Douglas fir, incense cedar, and Jeffery pine cover much of the area.

The 160-acre Bear Creek property includes tributary streams to the Wild and Scenic Van Duzen River. The Van Duzen River, as well as the Eel River which it flows into, host healthy salmon and steelhead runs. The salmon and steelhead populations are not only important species in the ecosystem, they support recreational and subsistence fisheries. The Van Duzen and Eel River host both summer and winter runs of steelhead, but as their waters warm due to climate change, the health of the fishery has become stressed. Juveniles require cold temperatures to survive, making cold water tributaries such as found in the Bear Creek property an important refuge.

With acquisition of the Bear Creek inholding property complete, we will now begin the process of transferring it to the Six Rivers National Forest. The Wilderness Land Trust has previously protected 253 properties totaling over 37,000 acres in 44 wilderness areas across California.

2024 by the numbers: Celebrating a year of wilderness wins

December 27, 2024-

As 2024 comes to a close, we’re celebrating another year of successful projects protecting the wilderness you love across the country.

This year we protected 42 properties totaling 2,073 acres from Alaska to Virginia. With the threat of development removed, they will remain open for wildlife to roam, resilient habitats to thrive, and people from all walks of life to explore. The monetary value of these lands is over $37 million, but the real value that they bring to our lives through clean air and water, solitude, and inspiration is so much greater. In this fast-changing world, their intrinsic value surpasses any dollar amount.

So we celebrate these end-of-year accomplishments with the pride of a job well done, and as a reflection of the collective impact of our dedicated community of partners and supporters. But we also reflect on them knowing that their totals fall short in telling the real story of our work. That story is one of long days spent in the field, in landscapes from desert to high alpine, along rivers and coast, through conditions from sunny blue skies to pouring rain and snow. It’s the story of a relationship built with a landowner over 20 years that leads to them finally choosing a path of conservation for the land they and their family have loved for generations. And it’s a story that’s not just ours, but shared by dozens of partners, from local organizations to tribes to federal agencies, and hundreds of generous supporters from around the country.

When you give to the Trust you support not just the land acquisitions and transfers, but all the work that leads to them: the field work and relationship building, the habitat restoration and helping to guide agency policy, the title work and appraisals. It is only with your support that we can share these end-of-year accomplishments.

If you haven’t yet donated, please consider making a gift before the end of 2024.