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The Sierra Club's Lewis and Clark Wild America Campaign is celebrating,
protecting, and restoring the wild places and wildlife in the lands
explored by Lewis and Clark. The organization has been promoting land
preservation efforts as part of the national Lewis and Clark Bicentennial
since 1999, and today is a national partner in the Circle of Conservation
Advisors for the National Council of the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial.
Specifically, we are working to preserve about 1 million acres across
several western states and protect endangered and threatened species
like salmon, wolves, bison, and grizzly bears. These pristine and historic
places are some of the last, best wild places to hike, fish, hunt, camp,
watch wildlife, and seek personal renewal.
South Dakota (total acreage: 74,440)
In southwest South Dakota, the Sierra Club is educating the public about
the need to permanently protect the Cheyenne River Valley, part of the
Buffalo Gap National Grasslands. This area contains some of the finest
examples of wild prairies left in the nation, including the largest
roadless area in the entire Great Plains. Contact: Heather
Morijah, 605-342-2244
North Dakota (total acreage: 4,500)
In central North Dakota, the Sierra Club is educating the public about
the need to permanently protect three areas: the Double Ditch State
Historic Site, the Fort Mandan Historic Site, and Fort Clark State Historic
Site. These scenic and historic areas face imminent threats from development.
Contact: or Jessica
Gilbertson, 701-530-9288
Montana (total acreage: approx. 230,000)
In western Montana, the Sierra Club is educating the public about the
need to permanently protect portions of the "Great Burn" and
the Silver-King area of Lewis & Clark Pass; in the "Gates of
the Mountain" in west central Montana, the Big Log roadless area
in the Helena National Forest; and in south central Montana, a large
portion of the Pryor Mountains. Bob
Clark, 406-549-1142 or Christine
Phillips, 406-582-8365
Wyoming (total acreage: 135,840)
In northwest Wyoming, the Sierra Club is educating the public about
the need to permanently protect the Palisades Wilderness Study Area
in the Bridger-Teton National Forest in addition to the Red Desert.
Contact: Kate Drexler,
307-733-4557
Idaho (total acreage: approx. 250,000, plus 500,000 in the Owyhees)
In north Idaho, the Sierra Club is educating the public about the need
to permanently protect four roadless areas (RA): the North Lochsa Slope
RA (which includes the longest undisturbed section of the Lewis and
Clark Trail in the nation), Weir Creek and Indian Post Office RA, parts
of the Bighorn Wietas RA, and the Upper Cayuse Creek/Crooked Fork/Boulder
Creek area. Many of these areas are extremely scenic, right along the
L&C Trail, important recreation areas, and critical habitat for
moose, elk, trout, steelhead, and salmon. The Club is also working to
protect the Owyhee Canyonlands. Contact: Jessica
Ruehrwein, 208-384-1023
Oregon (total acreage: 164,000)
In northwest Oregon, the Sierra Club is educating the public about the
need to permanently protect several parcels of roadless and otherwise
pristine and important landscapes in Mt. Hood National Forest and along
the Columbia River Gorge, two of Oregon's most distinctive icons. Without
protection, clean drinking water, wildlife habitat, recreational opportunities,
and scenic view sheds will be lost. Contact: Paul
Shively, 503-243-6656
Washington (total acreage 115,000-130,000)
In southwest Washington, the Sierra Club is educating the public about
the need to permanently protect the Dark Divide RA in the Gifford Pinchot
National Forest, and in the southeastern corner of Washington, in the
Blue Mountains within the Umatilla National Forest, several roadless
areas contiguous with the existing Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness Area.
This area contains critical habitat for steelhead, Chinook salmon, and
Bull trout, as well as stands of the oldest Mountain Mahogany trees
in Washington. Contact: Eastern Washington, Chase
Davis, 509-456-8802; Western Washington, Roger
Singer, 206-378-0114
For more information about the Sierra Club's Lewis and Clark campaign or to find out how you can help, contact lewisandclark@sierraclub.org.
Photo of Idaho's Clearwater Forest by Bob Clark.
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