Bring Those Klamath Dams Down!

Conservation Alliance grantee California Trout reports that a deal was reached last week to remove four dams on the Klamath River, and restore 300 miles of important salmon habitat. Cal Trout was a party to the negotiations, which would result in the largest dam removal in US history. The Klamath dams are widely blamed for…

Volunteer Time is Like Gold when it Comes to Conservation

On Saturday, I co-hosted the East Coast Backyard Collective, on behalf of Conservation Next, with Climbing Resource Advocacy Group Vermont (CRAG-VT), a non-profit that recently got money from Conservation Alliance, Access Fund and others to permanently conserve a popular climbing cliff in Vermont and to protect recreation rights on that land. Saturday, fifty six volunteers, some…

New Mexico Wilderness Bill Introduced

  Conservation Alliance grantee New Mexico Wilderness Alliance is celebrating the introduction of Senator Jeff Bingaman's Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks Wilderness Act. The legislation would protect more than 400,000 acres of public land in southern New Mexico. We supported this campaign with a $35,000 grant earlier this year. Click here for more information.

A New Day for the Fight Against Mountaintop Removal Mining?

Conservation Alliance grantee Appalachian Voices reports that the EPA has decided to "hold for extended review" 79 applications from coal companies to dump the tops of mountains into nearby river valleys while extracting coal in Appalachia. Under the Bush Administration, these applications would have sailed through, but the decision to closely consider their environmental impacts shows…

Murtha Ranch One Step Closer to Final Protection

Conservation Alliance grantee Western Rivers Conservancy reports key progress in its effort to protect the 8,000-acre Murtha Ranch on Oregon's John Day River. The effort would also secure an 8,000-acre BLM grazing lease, placing more than 16,000 acres into conservation ownership. Western Rivers' goal is to transfer ownership of the ranch to Oregon State Parks….

Krissy Does it Again!

The Conservation Alliance's own Krissy Moehl beat all other women and most of the men in the Ultra-Trail Du Mont Blanc, a 100-mile trail race that circumnavigates Mont Blanc while passing through France, Switzerland, and Italy. She placed 11th overall with a time of 24 hours, 56 minutes. What have you done lately? Nice work Krissy!

Obama Proclaims September 2009 “National Wilderness Month”

"NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim September 2009 as National Wilderness Month. I call upon all Americans to visit and enjoy our wilderness areas, learn more about our…

Boulder Backyard Collective- A Complete Success!

  ConservationNEXT organized another successful Backyard Collective, this time in El Dorado Canyon State Park near Boulder, CO. Check out the highlights: 100+ volunteers Sponsoring companies:  Osprey Packs, Kelty, Sierra Designs, GoLite, La Sportiva, Backpackers Pantry, The Outdoor Industry Association, and The North Face Other volunteers joined us from Teko Socks, Burts Bees, Leisure Trends, KEEN,…

Watching a Dam Come Down

Conservation Alliance grantee WaterWatch led the effort to remove the Savage Rapids Dam on Oregon's Rogue River. Removal began in May, and will conclude in December. The project will clear a major obstacle to fish passage on the Rogue, renowned for its whitewater boating and fishing. WaterWatch has posted on their website some amazing photos…