Celebrating 30 Years of Protecting Wildlands
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Forest Service Roadless & Conservation Rule Comment Deadline Extended to October 6!
We received a two week extension for this public comment period and the national coalition that we are a part of is aiming for 1 million comments!
The proposed rescission of the 2001 Roadless Rule threatens protections for nearly 59 million acres of undeveloped national forest lands across the country. These roadless forests provide critical habitat, clean water, recreation opportunities, and some of the wildest remaining landscapes on our national forests. Rescinding this rule would also make it easier to open up these public lands to logging and other industrial development.
Colorado has its own Colorado Roadless Rule, adopted in 2012, which would not be directly affected by this proposed rescission. However, eliminating the national rule would remove important protections elsewhere and could set the stage for future efforts to weaken Colorado’s roadless protections.
The proposed rescission of the 2001 Roadless Rule threatens protections for nearly 59 million acres of undeveloped national forest lands across the country. These roadless forests provide critical habitat, clean water, recreation opportunities, and some of the wildest remaining landscapes on our national forests. Rescinding this rule would also make it easier to open up these public lands to logging and other industrial development.
Colorado has its own Colorado Roadless Rule, adopted in 2012, which would not be directly affected by this proposed rescission. However, eliminating the national rule would remove important protections elsewhere and could set the stage for future efforts to weaken Colorado’s roadless protections.
Find more info, talking points and ways to take action at rockymountainwild.org/protect-forests.
Chubb Park Fence Removal Project Recap
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A huge thank you to the incredible volunteers who joined Wild Connections for our very first Fence Removal Project at Chubb Park in July! 💚
Together, we removed approximately two miles of obsolete barbed-wire fencing, helping restore a vital wildlife migration corridor for 🦌 elk, 🦌 mule deer, 🦌 pronghorn, and countless other species that call this landscape home.
The success of this project wouldn't have been possible without our dedicated volunteers and partners, and we're excited to share that we'll be returning this fall to remove the remaining two miles of fencing and complete the restoration effort!
Thank you to everyone who helped make a lasting difference for Colorado's wildlife and public lands.
Together, we removed approximately two miles of obsolete barbed-wire fencing, helping restore a vital wildlife migration corridor for 🦌 elk, 🦌 mule deer, 🦌 pronghorn, and countless other species that call this landscape home.
The success of this project wouldn't have been possible without our dedicated volunteers and partners, and we're excited to share that we'll be returning this fall to remove the remaining two miles of fencing and complete the restoration effort!
Thank you to everyone who helped make a lasting difference for Colorado's wildlife and public lands.
Wild Connections Featured on Loving Living Local!
- Wild Connections was thrilled to be interviewed on Fox 21 News’s Loving Living Local program as part of Give! Pikes Peak!
- Co-Executive Director India West and President Jim Lockhart did a phenomenal job sharing:
- The work we do to protect our public wildlands
- Why conservation is critical for wildlife & biodiversity
- The importance of safeguarding these places for future generations—especially as our state faces a changing climate, growing population, and increased recreation pressure
Take a few minutes to watch the 5-minute feature and learn more about our mission: fox21news.com/video/give-pikes-peak-wild-connections-inc/11618998
Thank you for supporting us and local conservation through Give! Pikes Peak!
Thank you for supporting us and local conservation through Give! Pikes Peak!
- October 3-4: Chubb Park Volunteer Fence Removal Project Phase II
- October 31: Wildcat Canyon Monitoring Hike
- November TBD: Colorado Springs Area Hike
- Previous Event Recordings of CO Wolverine Reintroduction Webinar and La Veta Public Lands Presentation
Find more info on our Events Page
and in our September Wild News!
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In this edition you will find:
- President's Message: Protecting Waterways as Wild Connections
- Working towards Outstanding Waters Designations in the Arkansas River Basin
- You Have Made these 30 years a Success - Let's Keep the Momentum Going
- Drought!
- Creating an Outstanding Waters Story Map for Wild Connections
- Protect Our Public Lands: What Happens in Browns Canyon Matters to All Americans
Wild Connections Stands in Solidarity with our Public Lands
Our National Forests, BLM lands, National Parks and National Wildlife Refuges are at risk due to dramatic staff and resource cuts, funding freezes and extractive resource orders by the Trump administration, who are working alongside lawmakers and special interest groups to sell off federally-managed public lands.
Wild Connections stands in solidarity with the staff of our Pike-San Isabel National Forest, Royal Gorge BLM, Florissant Fossil Beds and Browns Canyon National Monuments, and the US Fish & Wildlife.
Learn More and Take Action at KeepItPublic.CO.
A new website, keepitpublic.co, was recently created by the broader community of public lands conservation organizations in Colorado as your central hub for staying informed and taking effective action to prevent the sell-off our public lands!