Conservation

Conservation is at the heart of The Wilderness Society's work since its inception in 1935. We utilize a range of public lands protection tools and work in partnership with businesses, organizations and local communities to preserve our public lands while inspiring economic growth and connection to our treasured landscape, the North Cascades.

Our work in the North Cascades includes preserving this unique landscape for future generations to enjoy. Here are a few of the conservation projects we are working on:

Wild Sky Wilderness Act of 2008
Less than two hours from Seattle, the 106,000 acre Wild Sky Wilderness was officially designated in May of 2008. Home to incredible old-growth forests, sheer cliffs, salmon spawning streams and world-class recreation, the designation of this wilderness in the North Cascades was broadly support by local citizens, elected officials, communities in the nearby Sky Valley and multiple businesses.

The Wilderness Society worked with our Congressional delegation, conservation organizations, businesses and local communities to make it a reality.  Celebrating the signing of the wilderness bill, Congressman Rick Larsen said, “The end of the trail never felt so good.” Senator Patty Murray added “It is an example of wilderness done the right way.” We continue to add to Wild Sky by helping Cascade Land Conservancy gain federal funding to purchase in-holdings in the area.

Alpine Lakes Wilderness Additions and Pratt and Middle Fork Snoqualmie Rivers Protection Act
(H.R. 1769 and S. 721 - Map of Proposed Additions)
We are working with Representative Dave Reichert (R-8), Senator Patty Murray (D) and a coalition of conservation partners on a bill that would add over 22,000 acres of land to wilderness in the Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie Valley and the Pratt Valley.  The bill would also protect 10 miles of the Pratt River and about 30 miles of the Middle Fork Snoqualmie River as Wild and Scenic.  The existing Alpine Lakes Wilderness is one of the most visited wilderness areas in the country and the lands covered by the bill are within an hour’s drive from the Seattle metropolitan area.  This effort will protect critical low elevation old-growth and mature forests, clean water, habitat for salmon, cutthroat trout and elk and recreational opportunities for future generations.  The Pratt and Middle Fork Snoqualmie rivers offer high quality water-based recreation, including world-class fishing and whitewater paddling. 

Photo: Rafting the Middle Fork Snoqualmie River, by Thomas O'Keefe 

Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Planning Efforts
As a member of the Provincial Advisory Committee (PAC) and the Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) for the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, we are involved in forest plans affecting travel management, wilderness recommendations and allocating resources for trail building and stewardship projects. 

We stay actively engaged in the plans for our National Forests in the North Cascades, and utilize our science, mapping capabilities and advocacy expertise to inform the process.

Interested in the planning process for your public forest? Click here to find out more. 

We are working with a coalition of conservation partners to develop a citizen’s alternative for the Okanogan-Wenatchee Travel Management Plan process.  The coalition is recommending how to best manage off-road vehicle (ORV) use on the National Forest, including reducing wilderness trespassing while identifying areas where ORV recreational experiences can be enhanced within the social and ecological capacity of the land. Get involved in travel management.

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