Wild Lands
Wilderness is a priority in all of EcoFlight’s work; not only to grow our existing Wilderness lands but also to protect the landscapes adjacent to Wilderness so that the ecological integrity of existing roadless areas is preserved and wildlife corridors are kept intact. Wilderness plays a significant role in the overall health of ecosystems. Millions of birds use Wilderness areas as nesting and wintering grounds, as well as resting places when migrating. Many animals, such as lynx, wolf, bear, moose and elk make their homes in, and migrate through, areas that are protected as Wilderness.
EcoFlight has been involved in Montana’s Rocky Mountain Front Heritage Act, to ensure permanent protection for roadless areas and preserve the integrity of the Rocky Mountain Front.
In Colorado, the Hidden Gems Wilderness Campaign is a local and regional collaborative effort in the White River National Forest, to expand existing wilderness areas and create new stand-alone areas for protection. This proposal has necessitated many flights as they work to turn the tide of the off-road vehicle community and other groups opposing the bill, and winning more proponents through compromise, often brought by the aerial perspective.
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State: California Region: Southern California Description: The California Desert Protection Act of 2011 hopes to create new national monuments, add acreage to the wIlderness preservation system and increase the size of several parks in the area. |
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State: Colorado Region: Mamm Creek, Currant Creek, Kannah Creek, Flat Tops Description: After a decade of litigation, rulemaking and public input, Colorado's Roadless Areas are still the topic of much discussion. |
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State: Colorado Region: Arkansas River Description: This proposed wilderness area’s low elevation provides rich species diversity, year-round recreational access and opportunities for hunting, hiking, wildlife viewing, backpacking and camping. |
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State: Colorado Description: The Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area is Colorado's third National Conservation Area (NCA). |
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State: Colorado Description: With newly announced interest from Senator Mark Udall, Hidden Gems lands in Summit, Pitkin and Eagle counties are one step closer to becoming Wilderness! |
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State: Colorado Description: The Hidden Gems Wilderness Campaign, a citizen-generated plan, is seeking designation of major new wilderness additions to the wilderness system in Colorado. |
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Region: west-central Description: The Gunnison Gorge NCA is a diverse landscape with a Gold Medal trout fishing. |
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Description: Another gold mine of history and culture is threatened by military expansion. |
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State: Colorado Region: Pitkin County Description: The Hidden Gems Wilderness Campaign, a citizen-generated plan, is working with stakeholders and congressional leaders, seeking designation of major new wilderness additions to the wilderness system in Colorado. |
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State: Colorado Description: The San Juan National Forest and stakeholders in southwest Colorado are crafting plans for the future of the 150,000-acre Hermosa Roadless Area, and over 62 miles of Hermosa Creek and tributaries. |
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State: Colorado Region: Colorado's White River National Forest Description: U.S. Rep. Jared Polis has introduced a wilderness bill and Senator Mark Udall is working with citizens to craft a wilderness plan to protect proposed Hidden Gems wilderness in Summit, Eagle and Pitkin counties. |
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State: Colorado Description: EcoFlight has been flying Colorado’s spectacular Vermillion Basin for many years to protect it from damaging oil and gas leasing. In June 2010, the BLM’s Little Snake Field Office announced that the Vermillion Basin will be closed from all future oil and gas leasing and drilling... |
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State: Idaho, Montana, Wyoming Region: Northwest Wyoming, Southern Montana and Southeastern Idaho Description: There is no place on earth like Greater Yellowstone. The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem is one of the last remaining large, nearly intact ecosystems in the northern temperate zone of our planet, and includes Yellowstone National Park... |
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State: Idaho Description: The Pioneer Mountains region of south-central Idaho is one of the West's most unique and unspoiled landscapes. The region supports tremendous wildlife populations, large working farms and ranches and a wide diversity of ecosystem types. The vast relatively untouched sagebrush habitat is a stronghold for sage grouse, a refuge for the pygmy rabbit and a key migration corridor for pronghorn antelope. |
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State: Montana Description: The Rocky Mountain Front Heritage Act is a collaborative effort to add further protections to this magnificent landscape. |
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State: Montana Description: A vast watershed and series of pristine mountain lakes that feed the Clearwater and Blackwater Rivers (of Robert Redford fame), the Seeley-Swan Valley is surrounded on all sides by towering peaks, intact ecosystem and abundant wildlife. It is a landscape that epitomizes western American wilderness. |
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State: Montana Description: This remote beautiful landscape, with 149 miles of the Missouri River corridor designated as a National Wild and Scenic River, has begun to be recognized as a national treasure. |
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State: Nevada Description: The Pine Forest Range in Northern Nevada has long been a point of destination for anglers, hunters and outdoor enthusiasts. |
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State: New Mexico Region: northwestern New Mexico Description: Chaco National Historical Park is designated as a World Heritage Site and is one of the finest examples of Puebloan culture centers in the southwest United States, yet it too is impacted by intensive energy development. |
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State: New Mexico Description: Otero Mesa, located in rural southern New Mexico, lies south of the Sacramento Mountains and west of the Guadalupe Mountains. This 1.6 million acre basin is the largest and wildest Chihuahan Desert grassland left on public lands in the U.S. |
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State: Oregon Region: Southeast Oregon Description: The Owyhee Canyonlands region consists over 1.9 million acres and is home to a thriving diversity of plant and animals species, including sage grouse, pronghorns, big horn sheep, and golden eagles. This area provides rich recreational opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts of all types, from hikers and hunters to river runners who paddle the Wild and Scenic River. |
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State: Utah Region: Uinta Basin Description: The Desolation Canyon area is one of the largest roadless areas in the U.S. It's also sitting on top of a lage oil formation, making it a target for drilling. |
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State: Utah Description: The Greater Canyonlands area extends beyond Canyonlands National Park over 1.4 million acres. This area is threated by off-road vehicle abuse, oil and gas, nuclear and tar sands mining. |
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State: Wyoming Region: Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem Description: The Wyoming Wilderness Association is involved in the Shoshone National Forest Management Plan revision process, currently underway, to draw attention to high-priority wild areas in need of permanent protection. |
