The Wilderness Society

Every day is an opportunity to uplift Indigenous stories, history and experiences. On this #IndigenousPeoplesDay, we're celebrating and highlighting Tribally led and supported national monument wins and proposals across the West. President Biden has the power under the Antiquities Act to continue protecting Indigenous history and culture. Support Indigenous stewardship and sign the petitions to call for the designation of these Indigenous-led National Monuments: Bahsahwahbee, Nevada swampcedars.org Chuckwalla, Southern California protectchuckwalla.org Great Bend of the Gila, Arizona respectgreatbend.org Kw’tsán, Southern California protectkwtsan.org Sáttítla, Northern California protectsattitla.org @monumentsforall, #MonumentsForAll

This video gives us a glimpse into the heartwarming activities at Camp Beausite Northwest, in Washington 🏕️ Camp Beausite Northwest offers an inclusive and accessible camp experience for people with disabilities while providing respite for their caregivers. From outdoor education to recreational fun, they provide a welcoming space for 350 campers and 1,000 caregivers annually. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3Y1vqck

Wildlife and habitat are vanishing. Just last year, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) declared 21 more species extinct. Separately, international researchers estimated 2 million species to be at risk of extinction. There’s no question that the biodiversity crisis is getting worse, and the National Wildlife Refuge System is a key way to fight it. Right now, there are over 560 refuges totaling over 850 million acres in the system—but there is still room for more. Learn more about potential refuge designations and expansions ⤵️

🌟Historic First! Federal conservation dollars awarded to Tribal Nation. The Turtle Mountain Band of the Chippewa has been awarded $1 million for improvements to a family recreation area in North Dakota—making this the first Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program (ORLP) grant ever awarded to a tribal nation! This funding will support the development of five picnic and playground areas in housing sites located on the Turtle Mountain Indian Reservation. These improvements are a vital step in enhancing outdoor recreation opportunities for the community. This achievement is part of the historic $254 million investment from the Land and Water Conservation Fund. Passing the EXPLORE Act will make ORLP a permanent resource for enhancing outdoor recreation opportunities.

These 15 national parks offer spectacular fall foliage viewing, as evidenced by these stunning photographs. Find out the best times to visit, and as always, don't forget to follow "leave no trace" principles when visiting. 🍂 🍁

🌟 Good news: Amazing local park improvements thanks to the historic funding announced last week by the Department of Interior! In Albuquerque, the City received $1.3M from the Land and Water Conservation Fund’s Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program (ORLP) to conduct a much-needed, major overhaul of a park that hasn’t been upgraded in more than 40 years. 🌳 The upgrades to Mesa Verde Park are part of a larger $254 million investment in parks across the country, ensuring vital resources reach the communities that need them most. Let’s keep the momentum gooooooing by passing the EXPLORE Act, which would ensure that vital resources reach the communities that need them most. This would make ORLP a permanent resource for enhancing outdoor recreation opportunities.

This video features the inspiring work of Spirit of the Sun, an Indigenous womxn-led nonprofit in Denver that is dedicated to empowering Native communities. Their Indigenous Toddlers and Teachings Program is a once-a-month gathering where young Indigenous kids are taught about their connection to the natural world and their cultural heritage. 🌿🌍 From face painting and story time to connecting with animal relatives and exploring the Bright Nights exhibit, these special moments foster respect for Mother Earth and kinship among the young ones. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3BpXH4D

Have you ever wondered where the wildest places in the country are? How about the wildest places near you? We built a map to help answer those questions! 🗺️ Wild places are everywhere. Think of “wild-ness” as a relative quality—the wildest places are those where nature is the most intact and undisturbed. Combining data on land use, roads, light pollution, population density and a variety of other factors, we’ve created an index that shows the wildest 30% of lands in each county, state and the country as a whole.

Today, the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management published a long-awaited monument management plan for Bears Ears National Monument, nearly ten years after former President Obama designated it in 2016. The Bears Ears Commission (BEC) was at the forefront of drafting the management plan. In partnership with federal agencies, it worked on a proposal that upholds Tribal values, Traditional Ecological Knowledge and protects natural and cultural resources. If finalized, the plan will set a new standard in balanced, sustainable land management and mark a significant cornerstone in federal respect for Tribal authority.

Did you know that almost a quarter of the country’s annual climate change emissions can be traced back to fossil fuels on public lands and waters? Fossil fuel companies may extract oil, gas and coal from public lands, but it’s processed predominantly in neighborhoods where communities of color have lived for generations. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3Bt53Vb