Wilderness Watch, the US Forest Service and FOC are proud to sponsor 50 Years: A Celebration of Wilderness and our National Wilderness Preservation System on September 12-14 at the Wilderness Gateway Campground along the Lochsa River on the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests. Click here to view a map of the event location.
Please join us and other wilderness lovers from around the the northern Rockies for this 3-day celebration and reflection of the historic passing of the Wilderness Act in 1964. This event is part of the nation-wide celebration of the anniversary.
The weekend’s festivities will include engaging speakers, lively discussions, children’s activities, a traditional-skills demonstration, live music and more.
A key component of the weekend will include group discussions about current and future challenges to the spirit of Wilderness and the 1964 Act. Critical dialogues will include:
- Saturday 9:30 am – 10:45 am “Guardians vs Gardeners”, Can we preserve both an untrammeled Wilderness and natural conditions? with George Nickas of Wilderness Watch.
- Saturday 11:45 am – 1:00 pm Wilderness and fire, Why can’t we let it burn? with Carol Miller of Aldo Leopold Wilderness Research Institute.
- Saturday 4:00 pm – 5:15 pm How do we make wildlife management more compatible with Wilderness values? with Gary Macfarlane of Friends of the Clearwater.
- Sunday 9:30 am – 10:45 am The future of wilderness stewardship; How are we doing today and what can we improve upon? with Steve Kimball of US Forest Service, Northern Region Wilderness, Rivers, Guides Program Manager.
- Saturday 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Brad Bence of the USFS Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness and other employees from the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests will be providing a traditional skills demonstration. Horse packing, rigging and cross-cut saw use will be on display!
- Saturday 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm Happy Birthday-Happy Hour
Happy birthday to you! with free appetizers, birthday cake and more!
- Saturday 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm Singer/songwriter Dana Lyons will be performing for
Singer-songwriter Dana Lyons will be performing, Cows with Guns photo credit children and adults on Saturday September 13. A wilderness lover at heart, Dana has played across the US and around the world during his career. Learn more.
The Wilderness Gateway Campground is located on Highway 12 in north-central Idaho. Camping fees are $8 per night/per site. Reservations are not required. We recommend that you consider bringing your bicycle to travel throughout the spacious campground. Walking is fine, too.
Friends of the Clearwater intern Caitlin McHugh will be facilitating fun activities and games for youth on Saturday and Sunday. Cait says, “We have something for everyone! What is wilderness? Why is it important? Join us and find out and formulate some of your own answers to these questions!” All kids activities are free.
- Sunday 11:15 am – 12:00 pm Closing Ceremony with Steve Kimball of US Forest Service, Northern Region Wilderness, Rivers, Guides Program Manager.
Learn more about Wilderness. Learn more about the national celebration.
Order your commemorative 50th Anniversary of the Wilderness Act poster today! Artwork provided by Monte Dolack.
