December 7, 2020 – Wildfires are a natural occurrence within Colorado’s forest ecosystem, paving the way for removal of dead trees and plant debris, regenerating the soil, and creating a mosaic of young and old trees that support a diversity of wildlife species. But the development of private land within designated wilderness disrupts this natural […]
November 19, 2020 – The Wilderness Land Trust staff recently hosted a zoom call to give supporters an inside look at the Trust’s work to protect our nation’s designated wilderness areas. The presentation offered a behind the scenes look at our current projects, including what made them successful and the challenges they faced. This presentation […]
https://wildernesslandtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/backpacking-with-child.jpg9331600Ingrid Ougland/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/WLTLogo_white.pngIngrid Ougland2020-11-19 16:26:562020-11-19 16:26:56Wilderness Land Trust Presentation on Land Acquisitions
November 13, 2020 – Within The Juniper Dunes Wilderness lives the northern most growth of western juniper that dates back 150 years. This land in southeast Washington state is often battered by strong winds that build upon its impressive 130-foot high sand dunes. It’s also home to the Ferruginous Hawk, a state threatened and endangered […]
https://wildernesslandtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Ferruginous-hawk2.jpg7611015Ingrid Ougland/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/WLTLogo_white.pngIngrid Ougland2020-11-13 10:05:492020-11-13 10:05:49A Final Piece of the Puzzle Falls Into Place
October 16, 2020 – Designated wilderness protects vital habitat for threatened and endangered flora and fauna. Every acre we acquire and transfer is part of a collective effort to remove the threat of private development and make our wilderness areas whole. Each project is an opportunity to fulfill our vision for a healthy, diverse and unified […]
October 2, 2020 – The Wilderness Land Trust is pleased to announce Denise Schlener as the new chair of our board of directors. Denise has served on our board since 2013, sharing her extensive experience in building sustainable and effective organizations. Denise’s career in conservation began with the Wilderness Society where she worked toward the […]
September 17, 2020 – The Wild Sky Wilderness is part of a 2.6 million-acre wilderness complex in Washington state that straddles the Cascade Mountain Range from Canada south to Snoqualmie Pass. It is a rugged and remote landscape, characterized by steep valleys, exposed ridgetops, old-growth forest and dense vegetation resulting from 150 – 200 inches […]
https://wildernesslandtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Evergreen-1.jpg7501000Lisa Janeway/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/WLTLogo_white.pngLisa Janeway2020-09-17 09:50:042020-09-22 17:04:47A Win for the Wild Sky
September 2, 2020 – The Wilderness Land Trust has purchased a 19-acre inholding east of Aspen just off of Highway 82 in the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness. In the last three years, the organization has purchased two other inholdings totaling an additional 19 acres and with this most recent purchase, the Trust has removed the last […]
August 21, 2020 – Americans strongly support saving the open spaces they love. Since our founding in 1992 The Wilderness Land Trust has been doing just that – protecting more than 52,000 acres to date. With three dozen active projects stretching from Alaska to Arizona, more wilderness is on the way. To enhance our commitment […]
August 7, 2020 – It was late afternoon when our staff emerged from Idaho’s Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness after spending the day visiting a project site. It was hot and a thunderstorm was developing overhead. On this day our team included Brad Borst, president, and Kelly Conde, lands specialist, The Wilderness Land […]
https://wildernesslandtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Frank-Church-Cabin.jpg15122016Ingrid Ougland/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/WLTLogo_white.pngIngrid Ougland2020-08-07 10:47:182020-08-07 10:53:09The Things We Value
July 24, 2020 – Earlier this month, the Senate passed the Great American Outdoors Act and we are thrilled to report this week it has also passed the House. Thanks to Congress for their leadership on protecting public lands and wilderness! This brings the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) one step closer to full, […]
July 10, 2020 – Jagged spires forming one of the steepest mountain ranges in the western United States, open woodlands and seasonal streams providing critical habitat for golden eagles, hawks and owls. This is just a snapshot of the Organ Mountains Wilderness established in 2019 as part of the Desert Peaks National Monument near Las […]
https://wildernesslandtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Dripping-Springs-from-Baylor-Road.jpg16522416Ingrid Ougland/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/WLTLogo_white.pngIngrid Ougland2020-07-10 11:25:582020-07-10 11:25:58Another Win in New Mexico
June 26, 2020 – John Muir spent his life advocating for permanent protection of America’s wild places, including the Sierra Nevada in California. Aptly named for his tireless work, the more than 652,000-acre John Muir Wilderness stretches nearly 100 miles across California from east of Fresno in the north to just west of Lone Pine […]
https://wildernesslandtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Rex-Montis-Photo.jpg8551186Ingrid Ougland/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/WLTLogo_white.pngIngrid Ougland2020-06-25 10:39:582020-06-25 10:39:58Removing the Threat of Mining in Muir Country
June 12, 2020 – Imagine a tree that took root 300 years ago, is wider than a car at its base and nearly as tall as the Statue of Liberty. There are few places in the U.S. where trees have the opportunity to grow this big and this old. One such pocket is in Washington […]
May 29, 2020 – The Wilderness Land Trust is known for its professionalism when it comes to acquiring and transferring private land over to public ownership as designated wilderness. Since our founding in 1992, we’ve permanently protected more than 52,000 acres and I largely credit our small team of highly skilled staff for this history […]
May 15, 2020 – Snow-capped mountains, high alpine meadows and hairpin turns are just a few experiences to enjoy on Independence Pass, located at 12,000 feet above sea level near Aspen, Colorado. This breathtaking region is adjacent three wilderness areas, including the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness, an area we’ve been working hard to protect for more […]
May 1, 2020 – Defined by sheer canyon walls, rugged prairielands and never ending skies, the Sabinoso Wilderness is a high desert paradise located in northeastern New Mexico. This remote treasure was designated as wilderness in 2009 and since 2013 we have been working to further protect it. We are happy to report we have […]
https://wildernesslandtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Lagartija-Creek-scaled.jpg19202560Ingrid Ougland/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/WLTLogo_white.pngIngrid Ougland2020-05-01 09:26:522020-05-01 09:26:52More Protection for the Sabinoso Wilderness
April 17, 2020 – Sunrise on a mountain peak, deer browsing in a nearby meadow, the stillness of water on an alpine lake. During a time of personal and professional upheaval for many of us, we can still count on the gift of wild places. Wilderness is a necessity for us. It recharges our batteries, […]
April 3, 2020 – Please help us welcome Kelly Conde to The Wilderness Land Trust family as our new lands specialist. Kelly is an Idaho native who grew up exploring the many wilderness areas in her state. Her family vacations always required a tent and hiking boots as they backpacked the Sawtooth Wilderness, rafted […]
https://wildernesslandtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/kelly-conde-sawtooth.jpg500500Ingrid Ougland/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/WLTLogo_white.pngIngrid Ougland2020-04-03 13:57:362020-04-06 10:13:26The Trust Welcomes a New Team Member
March 20, 2020 – Today is the first full day of spring, a season that ushers in longer days, warmer temperatures and a vibrant burst of activity as flora and fauna awaken from their long winter nap. It also happens to be my birthday. How do I plan to celebrate? After a dawn walk in […]
https://wildernesslandtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/IMG_5903.jpg1280960Ingrid Ougland/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/WLTLogo_white.pngIngrid Ougland2020-03-20 00:28:102020-03-20 00:28:10The Arrival of Spring: A Message from Brad Borst, President
March 6, 2020 – We were recently given the opportunity to preserve 1,698 acres of an increasingly rare sagebrush steppe ecosystem in the Bodie Wilderness Study Area in California. The sagebrush steppe ecosystem is at high elevation with gorgeous vistas over mountain ranges in California, Nevada and Mono Laske, a unique saltwater lake supporting endemic […]
Feb. 21, 2020 – Nine years ago this week we completed the Kingston Range Wilderness in California by transferring the last two remaining private land parcels to the BLM for permanent protection. This land – 1,240 acres – is right in the heart of the wilderness and was being considered for a large private development […]
Jan. 31, 2020 – There’s a hidden paradise straddling the Santa Lucia Mountains south of the Monterey Peninsula in California, where crystal clear streams flow rapidly through narrow valleys and coastal redwood trees grow tall from within the deep canyons of the Big Sur and Little Sur Rivers. That paradise is the Ventana Wilderness, and […]
Dec. 27, 2019 “Wilderness is not a luxury but a necessity of the human spirit” – Edward Abbey The success of The Wilderness Land Trust is a direct result of our supporters, who recognize the absolute necessity of wilderness. Thanks to our supporters, we acquired nearly 3,300 acres of private land during the past year […]
https://wildernesslandtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Trout-Creek-staff-and-board-hike.jpg30244032Ingrid Ougland/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/WLTLogo_white.pngIngrid Ougland2019-12-27 19:22:452019-12-27 19:25:11Thank You for a Successful Year
Dec. 13, 2019 — Did you know that it’s nearly impossible to replicate sage grouse habitat? These seasonably vocal, magnificent birds require habitat under very specific conditions and are strident about returning to the same location every year. Why are we telling you this? Because The Wilderness Land Trust has closed on two properties totaling […]
https://wildernesslandtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/sage-grouse-3.jpg10801920Ingrid Ougland/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/WLTLogo_white.pngIngrid Ougland2019-12-13 11:02:162019-12-16 13:59:04A Win for Wildlife Habitat in Eastern Sierra
Nov. 8, 2019 — The Wilderness Land Trust has closed on 80-acres of land in the Mt. Tipton Wilderness in Arizona. Thanks to generous supporters like you, we have removed the threat of private development on this property. Our next steps include working toward transferring it to public ownership and increasing the overall size of […]
Oct. 25, 2019 — Your generous support recently allowed us to successfully transfer the last of three Trout Creek properties to public ownership within the Los Padres National Forest in California. This 324-acre piece of land is located near Arroyo Grande, Pismo Beach and San Luis Obispo. It includes a trail system that provides a […]
https://wildernesslandtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Trout-Creek-stream.jpg30244032Ingrid Ougland/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/WLTLogo_white.pngIngrid Ougland2019-10-24 21:05:482019-10-24 21:07:35Three Cheers for Three Transfers!
Oct. 11, 2019 — 50,933 acres permanently protected, 481 parcels added into public ownership, and 16 wilderness areas completed. Since our founding in 1992, you, our board of directors and staff have made those numbers possible. We just returned from our fall board meeting in Sandpoint, Idaho where we spent the better part of a […]
Sept. 27, 2019 — About a year and a half ago we partnered with the Independence Pass Foundation to purchase the Grandview Lode, a nine-acre parcel in the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness in Colorado. Private ownership of this land would have opened it up to development, road construction and the disruption of vital habitat for threatened […]
Sept. 15, 2019 — We are excited to announce The Wilderness Land Trust has been awarded a $30,000 grant by The Conservation Alliance to help with our Little Castle Lake project costs. We acquired the 637-acre Little Castle Lake property in June to protect it from logging and development, which would have threatened old growth […]
https://wildernesslandtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Heart-Lake.jpg720960Ingrid Ougland/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/WLTLogo_white.pngIngrid Ougland2019-09-11 22:47:052019-09-11 22:47:05Conservation Grant Helps Protect Little Castle Lake
Aug. 30, 2019 — It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of our dear friend and Wilderness Land Trust board member Jean Hocker. In the eyes of The Wilderness Land Trust, Jean was more than a tenacious conservation leader. She was a role model who led her life by example. There was […]
https://wildernesslandtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Jean-Hocker.jpg960742Ingrid Ougland/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/WLTLogo_white.pngIngrid Ougland2019-09-11 22:34:412019-09-11 22:37:10Saying Goodbye to a Conservation Leader
Aug. 23, 2019 — Last week we guided a group of 35 friends and supporters through the wooded shores of Castle Lake, where we hiked across rocky outcroppings and alpine meadows to the crystal clear waters of Heart Lake. The hike was a celebration of our recent purchase of the largest remaining private property within the […]
https://wildernesslandtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Heart-Lake.jpg720960Ingrid Ougland/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/WLTLogo_white.pngIngrid Ougland2019-08-23 10:35:472019-08-23 10:35:47The Romance of Heart Lake
Aug. 9, 2019 — Some of the properties we purchase require a lot of work before we can transfer them over to public ownership, including the complete removal of unwanted man-made structures. In 2017 we acquired the “Jumbo and Mt Vernon Lode” property – 38-acres along a popular hiking route in the Mount Baker Wilderness […]
https://wildernesslandtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Cabin_site_rehab-002.jpg12001600Ingrid Ougland/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/WLTLogo_white.pngIngrid Ougland2019-08-09 11:51:382019-08-09 11:51:38Readying a Property for Transfer
July 26, 2019 — Thanks to your generous support, we have successfully transferred our Trout Creek I and II properties to public ownership within the Los Padres National Forest. The two properties total 480-acres and border the Garcia Wilderness near Arroyo Grande, Pismo Beach and San Luis Obispo. Protecting this land ensures public access to […]
July 9, 2019 — Wander through the wooded shores of Castle Lake, scramble across some exposed rock and stroll through alpine meadows and you’ll find yourself on the shores of Heart Lake, taking in stunning views of Mt Shasta. This three-mile round trip hike is now possible thanks to our purchase this month of the […]
June 17, 2019 — The land trust accreditation program recognizes land conservation organizations that meet national quality standards for protecting important natural places and working lands forever. The Wilderness Land Trust (WLT) is pleased to announce it is applying for renewal of accreditation in 2019, which occurs every five years. WLT was first accredited in […]
June 14, 2019 — In 1899 Jerome Morse filed a patent on a 10-acre mining claim in the middle of what is now the Weminuche Wilderness in Colorado, creating the Sally Bowman Mine. More than 100 years later and with the help of the La Plata Open Space Conservancy, we acquired that mine from Jerome’s […]
May 31, 2019 — The Wilderness Land Trust has just transferred two Colorado properties totaling 80-acres to public ownership within the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forest in Colorado. The land is located near the town of Gunnison, within Colorado’s East Elk Creek, a proposed addition to the West Elk Wilderness Area The West […]
https://wildernesslandtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/West-Elk-Ridge.jpg15122016Ingrid Ougland/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/WLTLogo_white.pngIngrid Ougland2019-05-31 13:40:562019-07-17 22:38:41Colorado Land Protected for Future Wilderness
May 16, 2019 — We are thrilled to announce we have met our fundraising goal to protect Lundy Canyon in the Eastern Sierra! This 49-acre former mining claim within the Inyo National Forest is adjacent a popular hiking trail into the upper entrance of Lundy Canyon. It has been identified as a high priority for […]
May 3, 2019 — Last weekend our staff, board, and project partners gathered outside San Luis Obispo, CA to experience the incredible beauty of one of our Trout Creek properties adjacent the Garcia and Santa Lucia Wilderness. These projects protect more than 800 acres of scenic viewshed and public trail access into the wilderness areas. […]
https://wildernesslandtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Trout-Creek-stream.jpg30244032Ingrid Ougland/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/WLTLogo_white.pngIngrid Ougland2019-05-03 12:42:252019-12-10 16:45:18The Trust Takes a Field Trip
March 28, 2019 — The Wilderness Land Trust has closed on a 20-acre property that “cherry-stems” into the Columbine Hondo Wildernessin the Carson National Forest. The Commodore Lode property is located in Long Canyon, adjacent a popular wilderness access trail near Taos Ski Valley. The Columbine Hondo Wilderness was designated in 2014. Our purchase helps […]
https://wildernesslandtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Commodore-Lode-Columbine-Hondo.jpg24483264Ingrid Ougland/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/WLTLogo_white.pngIngrid Ougland2019-03-28 13:19:462019-07-18 10:55:54Your Continued Success in New Mexico
March 22, 2019 — This week we are proud to learn we are the recipient of the Access Fund’s Land Conservation Award for permanently protecting the Castle Crags in northern California. In 2013, our partnership with the Fund helped us secure two square miles of land adjacent to the Castle Crags Wilderness from a local […]
March 8, 2019 — The North Fork Owyhee Wilderness Area is located in southwest Idaho near the Oregon border. The landscape is diverse, ranging from river canyons over a thousand feet deep to open expanses of sagebrush and grassland plateaus. Eight years ago this week we transferred more than 600 acres adjacent the North Fork […]
https://wildernesslandtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Owyhee-Hanley-3.jpg24483264Ingrid Ougland/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/WLTLogo_white.pngIngrid Ougland2019-03-08 10:31:432019-03-08 10:46:31Connecting People to the Land
Feb. 12, 2019 — We are cheering on the U.S. SENATE for passing a public lands package that includes permanent re-authorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). From designated wilderness to national parks to neighborhood playgrounds, the Fund is a benefit to everyone in the community. This legislation will permanently authorize a federal […]
https://wildernesslandtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/John-Fielder.jpg11101422Ingrid Ougland/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/WLTLogo_white.pngIngrid Ougland2019-02-13 14:20:512019-07-18 10:57:59A Bipartisan Victory for Public Lands
Dec. 14, 2018 — From Colorado to Washington, we took important steps over the last four months to remove the threat of development on seven properties, saving critical fish and wildlife habitat, and protecting more wilderness for anyone with a love of the outdoors. In mid-August, we purchased three properties totaling 27 acres within the […]
https://wildernesslandtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/4-photos.jpg12751650Lisa Janeway/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/WLTLogo_white.pngLisa Janeway2019-02-02 14:26:262019-07-18 10:58:42Four Months, Four States and Seven Properties!
Jan. 11, 2019 — We can’t think of a better way to start the new year than by saying thank you, and to give you an early look at 11 properties – more than 1,100 acres – we plan to transfer in 2019 to the US Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management for permanent […]
https://wildernesslandtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/enews-photo.jpg24882421Lisa Janeway/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/WLTLogo_white.pngLisa Janeway2019-01-13 21:30:292019-07-18 10:59:39Thank You and a Look Ahead
Nov. 30, 2018 — We are thrilled to report we have closed on the purchase of a 60-acre mining claim adjacent to the Little Chetco River, the last remaining private inholding within the 180,000 acre Kalmiopsis Wilderness. This southwest Oregon wilderness contains the headwaters of three national wild and scenic rivers — the Chetco, North […]
https://wildernesslandtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/kalmiopsis.jpg15892371Lisa Janeway/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/WLTLogo_white.pngLisa Janeway2018-11-30 13:02:372019-07-18 11:00:24A Final Threat Eliminated from the Kalmiopsis Wilderness
Nov. 16, 2018 — Jon Mulford founded The Wilderness Land Trust in 1992 with a long-range mission to acquire unprotected private land within designated wilderness and return it to public ownership. He cultivated the Trust’s steady and tenacious work ethic with the understanding that some successes take time. In the late 1990’s, Jon established a […]
https://wildernesslandtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/evergreen.jpg7501000Lisa Janeway/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/WLTLogo_white.pngLisa Janeway2018-11-19 12:09:252019-07-18 11:01:14Tenacity Results in a Win for Wild Sky
Nov. 27, 2018 – Giving Tuesday #GivingTuesday is a global day of giving fueled by the power of social media and collaboration. Celebrated on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving (in the U.S.) and the widely recognized shopping events Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Giving Tuesday kicks off the charitable season, when many focus on their holiday […]
Nov. 2, 2018 — The California Condor/Hi Mountain/Trout Creek trail provides public access into the Santa Lucia and Garcia Wilderness areas. But use of the trail and appreciation of the surrounding land extends beyond us humans. The land is also home to mule deer, black bear, wild turkeys, peregrine falcon, horned toad and other wildlife. […]
https://wildernesslandtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/condor-trail.jpg720960Lisa Janeway/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/WLTLogo_white.pngLisa Janeway2018-11-06 12:01:252019-07-18 11:03:08WLT Helps Save the California Condor Trail
Oct. 19, 2018 — The one room cabin perched precariously on a narrow ridge, its dilapidated windows boasting stunning views of the surrounding Wilderness landscape. However, the cabin and its contents – old furniture, mattresses, a wood stove, treated lumber and garbage – was slowly being crushed by the weight of heavy annual snowfall. Down below, […]
https://wildernesslandtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/mt-baker-cabin.jpg7141200Lisa Janeway/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/WLTLogo_white.pngLisa Janeway2018-11-06 11:59:442019-07-18 11:03:55How a Cabin Disappeared in the Mt. Baker Wilderness
Oct. 5, 2018 — According to Merriam Webster, El Dorado is defined as a place of fabulous wealth or opportunity. As we know, opportunity and wealth are in the eye of the beholder. Hopeful miners saw the El Dorado Lode in the Weminuche Wilderness of Colorado as a potential gold mine, their own “City of […]
https://wildernesslandtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/cabin.png511780Lisa Janeway/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/WLTLogo_white.pngLisa Janeway2018-11-06 11:58:032019-07-18 11:04:38Defining Wealth in the Wilderness
Sept. 21, 2018 — Nestled within the Weminuche Wilderness in Colorado and located at the top of a rise behind beautiful Emerald Lake sits three properties that, until now, were a threat to the designated wilderness around them. Thanks to our supporters, The Wilderness Land Trust now owns these properties and they are no longer […]
Sept. 6, 2018 — The Wild Basin area of Rocky Mountain National Park lives up to its name as the wildest area of the park. It’s in Wild Basin that a large amount of designated wilderness is located, and where backpackers, anglers, hikers and horse packers enjoy a truly remote experience a short hour outside […]
https://wildernesslandtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Wild-Basin-View-KF-enhanced.jpg6681008Lisa Janeway/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/WLTLogo_white.pngLisa Janeway2018-09-06 20:50:482019-07-18 11:11:4033 Acres Returned to Rocky Mountain National Park’s Wild Basin Area
July 11, 2018 — A unique alliance between a land trust, three timber companies, the climbing community and the Forest Service has resulted in protection of the beloved Castle Crags area in northern California, a rock climbing destination, wildlife habitat and important water source for California residents. Two square miles of land adjacent to the […]
April 18, 2018 — She must have made quite an impression in 1899, when Jerome Morse filed a patent on a 10-acre mining claim in the middle of what is now the Weminuche Wilderness in southern Colorado. Just after filing to create the Morse Lode, he filed to create the Sally Bowman Mine right next […]
May 29, 2018 — The Wilderness Land Trust joined the National Wildlife Federation, New Mexico Wildlife Federation, New Mexico Wilderness Alliance and other partners to celebrate the now accessible 16,000 acre Sabinoso Wilderness in New Mexico that, until recently, was impossible for the public to access without trespassing on private property. Thanks to a contribution […]
https://wildernesslandtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Sabinoso_745-db3bf.jpg367550Phil Mollenkof/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/WLTLogo_white.pngPhil Mollenkof2018-06-14 13:46:502019-07-18 11:08:30Wilderness Groups Celebrate Public Access to the Sabinoso Wilderness in Special Ceremony
May 2, 2018 — Another success! We just finalized the purchase of 40 additional acres of private land adjacent to the West Elk Wilderness area in Colorado. Add this to the 40 adjacent acres we already own, and we are now ready to transfer the only remaining private land within the proposed East Elk Creek […]
https://wildernesslandtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/landscape-scenic-going-to-the-sun-road-rocky-mountains-163550.jpeg15002248wildernessland/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/WLTLogo_white.pngwildernessland2018-05-02 14:11:352019-07-18 11:09:08Wild West Elk
Protecting Natural Processes in Colorado’s Wilderness
/in Uncategorized /by Ingrid OuglandDecember 7, 2020 – Wildfires are a natural occurrence within Colorado’s forest ecosystem, paving the way for removal of dead trees and plant debris, regenerating the soil, and creating a mosaic of young and old trees that support a diversity of wildlife species. But the development of private land within designated wilderness disrupts this natural […]
Wilderness Land Trust Presentation on Land Acquisitions
/in Uncategorized /by Ingrid OuglandNovember 19, 2020 – The Wilderness Land Trust staff recently hosted a zoom call to give supporters an inside look at the Trust’s work to protect our nation’s designated wilderness areas. The presentation offered a behind the scenes look at our current projects, including what made them successful and the challenges they faced. This presentation […]
A Final Piece of the Puzzle Falls Into Place
/in Uncategorized /by Ingrid OuglandNovember 13, 2020 – Within The Juniper Dunes Wilderness lives the northern most growth of western juniper that dates back 150 years. This land in southeast Washington state is often battered by strong winds that build upon its impressive 130-foot high sand dunes. It’s also home to the Ferruginous Hawk, a state threatened and endangered […]
A Path to Wilderness
/in Uncategorized /by Ingrid OuglandOctober 16, 2020 – Designated wilderness protects vital habitat for threatened and endangered flora and fauna. Every acre we acquire and transfer is part of a collective effort to remove the threat of private development and make our wilderness areas whole. Each project is an opportunity to fulfill our vision for a healthy, diverse and unified […]
The Trust Welcomes a New Board Chair
/in Uncategorized /by Ingrid OuglandOctober 2, 2020 – The Wilderness Land Trust is pleased to announce Denise Schlener as the new chair of our board of directors. Denise has served on our board since 2013, sharing her extensive experience in building sustainable and effective organizations. Denise’s career in conservation began with the Wilderness Society where she worked toward the […]
A Win for the Wild Sky
/in Uncategorized /by Lisa JanewaySeptember 17, 2020 – The Wild Sky Wilderness is part of a 2.6 million-acre wilderness complex in Washington state that straddles the Cascade Mountain Range from Canada south to Snoqualmie Pass. It is a rugged and remote landscape, characterized by steep valleys, exposed ridgetops, old-growth forest and dense vegetation resulting from 150 – 200 inches […]
The Trust Removes Development Threat from Independence Pass
/in Uncategorized /by Ingrid OuglandSeptember 2, 2020 – The Wilderness Land Trust has purchased a 19-acre inholding east of Aspen just off of Highway 82 in the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness. In the last three years, the organization has purchased two other inholdings totaling an additional 19 acres and with this most recent purchase, the Trust has removed the last […]
The Wilderness Land Trust Earns National Recognition
/in Uncategorized /by Ingrid OuglandAugust 21, 2020 – Americans strongly support saving the open spaces they love. Since our founding in 1992 The Wilderness Land Trust has been doing just that – protecting more than 52,000 acres to date. With three dozen active projects stretching from Alaska to Arizona, more wilderness is on the way. To enhance our commitment […]
The Things We Value
/in Uncategorized /by Ingrid OuglandAugust 7, 2020 – It was late afternoon when our staff emerged from Idaho’s Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness after spending the day visiting a project site. It was hot and a thunderstorm was developing overhead. On this day our team included Brad Borst, president, and Kelly Conde, lands specialist, The Wilderness Land […]
Great American Outdoors Act Update
/in Uncategorized /by Ingrid OuglandJuly 24, 2020 – Earlier this month, the Senate passed the Great American Outdoors Act and we are thrilled to report this week it has also passed the House. Thanks to Congress for their leadership on protecting public lands and wilderness! This brings the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) one step closer to full, […]
Another Win in New Mexico
/in Uncategorized /by Ingrid OuglandJuly 10, 2020 – Jagged spires forming one of the steepest mountain ranges in the western United States, open woodlands and seasonal streams providing critical habitat for golden eagles, hawks and owls. This is just a snapshot of the Organ Mountains Wilderness established in 2019 as part of the Desert Peaks National Monument near Las […]
Removing the Threat of Mining in Muir Country
/in Uncategorized /by Ingrid OuglandJune 26, 2020 – John Muir spent his life advocating for permanent protection of America’s wild places, including the Sierra Nevada in California. Aptly named for his tireless work, the more than 652,000-acre John Muir Wilderness stretches nearly 100 miles across California from east of Fresno in the north to just west of Lone Pine […]
Stitching Together Washington’s Wilderness
/in Uncategorized /by Ingrid OuglandJune 12, 2020 – Imagine a tree that took root 300 years ago, is wider than a car at its base and nearly as tall as the Statue of Liberty. There are few places in the U.S. where trees have the opportunity to grow this big and this old. One such pocket is in Washington […]
The Team Behind Our Success
/in Uncategorized /by Ingrid OuglandMay 29, 2020 – The Wilderness Land Trust is known for its professionalism when it comes to acquiring and transferring private land over to public ownership as designated wilderness. Since our founding in 1992, we’ve permanently protected more than 52,000 acres and I largely credit our small team of highly skilled staff for this history […]
A Jaw-Dropping Experience on Independence Pass
/in Uncategorized /by Ingrid OuglandMay 15, 2020 – Snow-capped mountains, high alpine meadows and hairpin turns are just a few experiences to enjoy on Independence Pass, located at 12,000 feet above sea level near Aspen, Colorado. This breathtaking region is adjacent three wilderness areas, including the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness, an area we’ve been working hard to protect for more […]
More Protection for the Sabinoso Wilderness
/in Uncategorized /by Ingrid OuglandMay 1, 2020 – Defined by sheer canyon walls, rugged prairielands and never ending skies, the Sabinoso Wilderness is a high desert paradise located in northeastern New Mexico. This remote treasure was designated as wilderness in 2009 and since 2013 we have been working to further protect it. We are happy to report we have […]
The Necessity of Wilderness
/in Uncategorized /by Ingrid OuglandApril 17, 2020 – Sunrise on a mountain peak, deer browsing in a nearby meadow, the stillness of water on an alpine lake. During a time of personal and professional upheaval for many of us, we can still count on the gift of wild places. Wilderness is a necessity for us. It recharges our batteries, […]
The Trust Welcomes a New Team Member
/in Uncategorized /by Ingrid OuglandApril 3, 2020 – Please help us welcome Kelly Conde to The Wilderness Land Trust family as our new lands specialist. Kelly is an Idaho native who grew up exploring the many wilderness areas in her state. Her family vacations always required a tent and hiking boots as they backpacked the Sawtooth Wilderness, rafted […]
The Arrival of Spring: A Message from Brad Borst, President
/in Uncategorized /by Ingrid OuglandMarch 20, 2020 – Today is the first full day of spring, a season that ushers in longer days, warmer temperatures and a vibrant burst of activity as flora and fauna awaken from their long winter nap. It also happens to be my birthday. How do I plan to celebrate? After a dawn walk in […]
A Unique Ecosystem Worth Saving
/in Uncategorized /by Ingrid OuglandMarch 6, 2020 – We were recently given the opportunity to preserve 1,698 acres of an increasingly rare sagebrush steppe ecosystem in the Bodie Wilderness Study Area in California. The sagebrush steppe ecosystem is at high elevation with gorgeous vistas over mountain ranges in California, Nevada and Mono Laske, a unique saltwater lake supporting endemic […]
Completing a Wilderness
/in Uncategorized /by Ingrid OuglandFeb. 21, 2020 – Nine years ago this week we completed the Kingston Range Wilderness in California by transferring the last two remaining private land parcels to the BLM for permanent protection. This land – 1,240 acres – is right in the heart of the wilderness and was being considered for a large private development […]
Protecting a Paradise
/in Uncategorized /by Ingrid OuglandJan. 31, 2020 – There’s a hidden paradise straddling the Santa Lucia Mountains south of the Monterey Peninsula in California, where crystal clear streams flow rapidly through narrow valleys and coastal redwood trees grow tall from within the deep canyons of the Big Sur and Little Sur Rivers. That paradise is the Ventana Wilderness, and […]
Thank You for a Successful Year
/in Uncategorized /by Ingrid OuglandDec. 27, 2019 “Wilderness is not a luxury but a necessity of the human spirit” – Edward Abbey The success of The Wilderness Land Trust is a direct result of our supporters, who recognize the absolute necessity of wilderness. Thanks to our supporters, we acquired nearly 3,300 acres of private land during the past year […]
A Win for Wildlife Habitat in Eastern Sierra
/in Uncategorized /by Ingrid OuglandDec. 13, 2019 — Did you know that it’s nearly impossible to replicate sage grouse habitat? These seasonably vocal, magnificent birds require habitat under very specific conditions and are strident about returning to the same location every year. Why are we telling you this? Because The Wilderness Land Trust has closed on two properties totaling […]
Saving Arizona
/in Uncategorized /by Ingrid OuglandNov. 8, 2019 — The Wilderness Land Trust has closed on 80-acres of land in the Mt. Tipton Wilderness in Arizona. Thanks to generous supporters like you, we have removed the threat of private development on this property. Our next steps include working toward transferring it to public ownership and increasing the overall size of […]
Three Cheers for Three Transfers!
/in Uncategorized /by Ingrid OuglandOct. 25, 2019 — Your generous support recently allowed us to successfully transfer the last of three Trout Creek properties to public ownership within the Los Padres National Forest in California. This 324-acre piece of land is located near Arroyo Grande, Pismo Beach and San Luis Obispo. It includes a trail system that provides a […]
Inheriting a Livable Planet
/in Uncategorized /by Ingrid OuglandOct. 11, 2019 — 50,933 acres permanently protected, 481 parcels added into public ownership, and 16 wilderness areas completed. Since our founding in 1992, you, our board of directors and staff have made those numbers possible. We just returned from our fall board meeting in Sandpoint, Idaho where we spent the better part of a […]
Protecting Collegiate Peaks Wilderness
/in Uncategorized /by Ingrid OuglandSept. 27, 2019 — About a year and a half ago we partnered with the Independence Pass Foundation to purchase the Grandview Lode, a nine-acre parcel in the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness in Colorado. Private ownership of this land would have opened it up to development, road construction and the disruption of vital habitat for threatened […]
Conservation Grant Helps Protect Little Castle Lake
/in Uncategorized /by Ingrid OuglandSept. 15, 2019 — We are excited to announce The Wilderness Land Trust has been awarded a $30,000 grant by The Conservation Alliance to help with our Little Castle Lake project costs. We acquired the 637-acre Little Castle Lake property in June to protect it from logging and development, which would have threatened old growth […]
Saying Goodbye to a Conservation Leader
/in Uncategorized /by Ingrid OuglandAug. 30, 2019 — It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of our dear friend and Wilderness Land Trust board member Jean Hocker. In the eyes of The Wilderness Land Trust, Jean was more than a tenacious conservation leader. She was a role model who led her life by example. There was […]
The Romance of Heart Lake
/in Uncategorized /by Ingrid OuglandAug. 23, 2019 — Last week we guided a group of 35 friends and supporters through the wooded shores of Castle Lake, where we hiked across rocky outcroppings and alpine meadows to the crystal clear waters of Heart Lake. The hike was a celebration of our recent purchase of the largest remaining private property within the […]
Readying a Property for Transfer
/in Uncategorized /by Ingrid OuglandAug. 9, 2019 — Some of the properties we purchase require a lot of work before we can transfer them over to public ownership, including the complete removal of unwanted man-made structures. In 2017 we acquired the “Jumbo and Mt Vernon Lode” property – 38-acres along a popular hiking route in the Mount Baker Wilderness […]
California Condor Trail Access is Permanently Protected
/in Uncategorized /by Ingrid OuglandJuly 26, 2019 — Thanks to your generous support, we have successfully transferred our Trout Creek I and II properties to public ownership within the Los Padres National Forest. The two properties total 480-acres and border the Garcia Wilderness near Arroyo Grande, Pismo Beach and San Luis Obispo. Protecting this land ensures public access to […]
Protecting Access to Castle Crags Wilderness
/in Uncategorized /by Ingrid OuglandJuly 9, 2019 — Wander through the wooded shores of Castle Lake, scramble across some exposed rock and stroll through alpine meadows and you’ll find yourself on the shores of Heart Lake, taking in stunning views of Mt Shasta. This three-mile round trip hike is now possible thanks to our purchase this month of the […]
We’re Applying for Land Trust Accreditation Renewal
/in Uncategorized /by Ingrid OuglandJune 17, 2019 — The land trust accreditation program recognizes land conservation organizations that meet national quality standards for protecting important natural places and working lands forever. The Wilderness Land Trust (WLT) is pleased to announce it is applying for renewal of accreditation in 2019, which occurs every five years. WLT was first accredited in […]
Sally Bowman Joins the Weminuche Wilderness
/in Uncategorized /by Ingrid OuglandJune 14, 2019 — In 1899 Jerome Morse filed a patent on a 10-acre mining claim in the middle of what is now the Weminuche Wilderness in Colorado, creating the Sally Bowman Mine. More than 100 years later and with the help of the La Plata Open Space Conservancy, we acquired that mine from Jerome’s […]
Colorado Land Protected for Future Wilderness
/in Uncategorized /by Ingrid OuglandMay 31, 2019 — The Wilderness Land Trust has just transferred two Colorado properties totaling 80-acres to public ownership within the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forest in Colorado. The land is located near the town of Gunnison, within Colorado’s East Elk Creek, a proposed addition to the West Elk Wilderness Area The West […]
Lundy Canyon Campaign Success!
/in Uncategorized /by Ingrid OuglandMay 16, 2019 — We are thrilled to announce we have met our fundraising goal to protect Lundy Canyon in the Eastern Sierra! This 49-acre former mining claim within the Inyo National Forest is adjacent a popular hiking trail into the upper entrance of Lundy Canyon. It has been identified as a high priority for […]
The Trust Takes a Field Trip
/in Uncategorized /by Ingrid OuglandMay 3, 2019 — Last weekend our staff, board, and project partners gathered outside San Luis Obispo, CA to experience the incredible beauty of one of our Trout Creek properties adjacent the Garcia and Santa Lucia Wilderness. These projects protect more than 800 acres of scenic viewshed and public trail access into the wilderness areas. […]
Your Continued Success in New Mexico
/in Uncategorized /by Ingrid OuglandMarch 28, 2019 — The Wilderness Land Trust has closed on a 20-acre property that “cherry-stems” into the Columbine Hondo Wildernessin the Carson National Forest. The Commodore Lode property is located in Long Canyon, adjacent a popular wilderness access trail near Taos Ski Valley. The Columbine Hondo Wilderness was designated in 2014. Our purchase helps […]
The Trust Receives Conservation Award
/in Uncategorized /by Ingrid OuglandMarch 22, 2019 — This week we are proud to learn we are the recipient of the Access Fund’s Land Conservation Award for permanently protecting the Castle Crags in northern California. In 2013, our partnership with the Fund helped us secure two square miles of land adjacent to the Castle Crags Wilderness from a local […]
Connecting People to the Land
/in Uncategorized /by Ingrid OuglandMarch 8, 2019 — The North Fork Owyhee Wilderness Area is located in southwest Idaho near the Oregon border. The landscape is diverse, ranging from river canyons over a thousand feet deep to open expanses of sagebrush and grassland plateaus. Eight years ago this week we transferred more than 600 acres adjacent the North Fork […]
A Bipartisan Victory for Public Lands
/in Uncategorized /by Ingrid OuglandFeb. 12, 2019 — We are cheering on the U.S. SENATE for passing a public lands package that includes permanent re-authorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). From designated wilderness to national parks to neighborhood playgrounds, the Fund is a benefit to everyone in the community. This legislation will permanently authorize a federal […]
Four Months, Four States and Seven Properties!
/in Uncategorized /by Lisa JanewayDec. 14, 2018 — From Colorado to Washington, we took important steps over the last four months to remove the threat of development on seven properties, saving critical fish and wildlife habitat, and protecting more wilderness for anyone with a love of the outdoors. In mid-August, we purchased three properties totaling 27 acres within the […]
Thank You and a Look Ahead
/in Uncategorized /by Lisa JanewayJan. 11, 2019 — We can’t think of a better way to start the new year than by saying thank you, and to give you an early look at 11 properties – more than 1,100 acres – we plan to transfer in 2019 to the US Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management for permanent […]
A Final Threat Eliminated from the Kalmiopsis Wilderness
/in Uncategorized /by Lisa JanewayNov. 30, 2018 — We are thrilled to report we have closed on the purchase of a 60-acre mining claim adjacent to the Little Chetco River, the last remaining private inholding within the 180,000 acre Kalmiopsis Wilderness. This southwest Oregon wilderness contains the headwaters of three national wild and scenic rivers — the Chetco, North […]
Tenacity Results in a Win for Wild Sky
/in Uncategorized /by Lisa JanewayNov. 16, 2018 — Jon Mulford founded The Wilderness Land Trust in 1992 with a long-range mission to acquire unprotected private land within designated wilderness and return it to public ownership. He cultivated the Trust’s steady and tenacious work ethic with the understanding that some successes take time. In the late 1990’s, Jon established a […]
Join Fellow Wilderness Lovers on Nov. 27th and Dec. 4th
/in Uncategorized /by Lisa JanewayNov. 27, 2018 – Giving Tuesday #GivingTuesday is a global day of giving fueled by the power of social media and collaboration. Celebrated on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving (in the U.S.) and the widely recognized shopping events Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Giving Tuesday kicks off the charitable season, when many focus on their holiday […]
WLT Helps Save the California Condor Trail
/in Uncategorized /by Lisa JanewayNov. 2, 2018 — The California Condor/Hi Mountain/Trout Creek trail provides public access into the Santa Lucia and Garcia Wilderness areas. But use of the trail and appreciation of the surrounding land extends beyond us humans. The land is also home to mule deer, black bear, wild turkeys, peregrine falcon, horned toad and other wildlife. […]
How a Cabin Disappeared in the Mt. Baker Wilderness
/in Uncategorized /by Lisa JanewayOct. 19, 2018 — The one room cabin perched precariously on a narrow ridge, its dilapidated windows boasting stunning views of the surrounding Wilderness landscape. However, the cabin and its contents – old furniture, mattresses, a wood stove, treated lumber and garbage – was slowly being crushed by the weight of heavy annual snowfall. Down below, […]
Defining Wealth in the Wilderness
/in Uncategorized /by Lisa JanewayOct. 5, 2018 — According to Merriam Webster, El Dorado is defined as a place of fabulous wealth or opportunity. As we know, opportunity and wealth are in the eye of the beholder. Hopeful miners saw the El Dorado Lode in the Weminuche Wilderness of Colorado as a potential gold mine, their own “City of […]
Protecting the Weminuche Wilderness
/in Uncategorized /by Lisa JanewaySept. 21, 2018 — Nestled within the Weminuche Wilderness in Colorado and located at the top of a rise behind beautiful Emerald Lake sits three properties that, until now, were a threat to the designated wilderness around them. Thanks to our supporters, The Wilderness Land Trust now owns these properties and they are no longer […]
33 Acres Returned to Rocky Mountain National Park’s Wild Basin Area
/in Uncategorized /by Lisa JanewaySept. 6, 2018 — The Wild Basin area of Rocky Mountain National Park lives up to its name as the wildest area of the park. It’s in Wild Basin that a large amount of designated wilderness is located, and where backpackers, anglers, hikers and horse packers enjoy a truly remote experience a short hour outside […]
New Recreational Access in Castle Crags Wilderness
/in Uncategorized /by Lisa JanewayJuly 11, 2018 — A unique alliance between a land trust, three timber companies, the climbing community and the Forest Service has resulted in protection of the beloved Castle Crags area in northern California, a rock climbing destination, wildlife habitat and important water source for California residents. Two square miles of land adjacent to the […]
Who Was Sally Bowman?
/in Uncategorized /by Phil MollenkofApril 18, 2018 — She must have made quite an impression in 1899, when Jerome Morse filed a patent on a 10-acre mining claim in the middle of what is now the Weminuche Wilderness in southern Colorado. Just after filing to create the Morse Lode, he filed to create the Sally Bowman Mine right next […]
Wilderness Groups Celebrate Public Access to the Sabinoso Wilderness in Special Ceremony
/in Uncategorized /by Phil MollenkofMay 29, 2018 — The Wilderness Land Trust joined the National Wildlife Federation, New Mexico Wildlife Federation, New Mexico Wilderness Alliance and other partners to celebrate the now accessible 16,000 acre Sabinoso Wilderness in New Mexico that, until recently, was impossible for the public to access without trespassing on private property. Thanks to a contribution […]
Wild West Elk
/in Uncategorized /by wildernesslandMay 2, 2018 — Another success! We just finalized the purchase of 40 additional acres of private land adjacent to the West Elk Wilderness area in Colorado. Add this to the 40 adjacent acres we already own, and we are now ready to transfer the only remaining private land within the proposed East Elk Creek […]