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.

The Animas River also runs through the Sally Bowman property

More than 100 years later and with the help of the La Plata Open Space Conservancy, we acquired that mine from Jerome’s heirs.

Today we are pleased to announce we have returned this 10-acre inholding to the wilderness by transferring it to the U.S. Forest Service

The Sally Bowman Mine is the third Colorado property we’ve transferred to public ownership this month, and the seventh project completed in Colorado’s largest designated wilderness. Our efforts further protect the La Plata River which runs through the property.

Thank you! Your support allows us to continue protecting our country’s wilderness for future generations. Please help us get the word out about our work by sharing this news with your friends and family and sharing our work on Facebook!