Protecting wilderness isn’t just for liberals

A short drive east of Everett, 106,000 acres of lowland forest in the Skykomish River Valley are likely to soon win congressional designation as the Wild Sky Wilderness, the newest jewel in a treasure chest of unspoiled places that preserve America’s wildland heritage.

The impending designation of Wild Sky is a testament to the lasting bipartisan vision that brought forth the Wilderness Act of 1964, which preserves “untrammeled” lands where future generations can experience the sights, sounds and challenges of unspoiled nature.

Wilderness is woven into the culture of the Northwest. Nearly 10 percent of Washington’s land area, 4.3 million acres, are protected as they are — lush forests, stately mountains, wild rivers, and even an unusual formation of sand dunes taller than a 12-story building.

But 1964 was a long time ago, and America is a far different place. The population has grown, cities have spread out, the country is more diverse, and our lives are more dependent on technology than ever before. Ditto for Washington state.

When the Wilderness Act was passed, global warming was little more than an academic curiosity t hat only a few specialists were thinking about. Now, it is a specter that consumes political attention, from city halls in Washington to the halls of Congress in the other Washington.

What will become of wilderness in a hotter, busier, more urbanized, more crowded world? The Pacific Northwest Wilderness Conference, which opens Thursday in Seattle (www.wilderness2008.org), will offer some intriguing ideas for everyone, from casual wilderness visitors to hardcore outdoors activists.

Here is a sampling of what’s on tap at the conference:

Global Warming. Early signs of climate change already are apparent in Washington. Temperatures are rising. Glaciers are retreating. Large forest fires are more frequent. Don McKenzie, a forest researcher with the University of Washington’s Climate Impacts Group, will describe how a hotter climate may change Western wilderness areas. McKenzie’s studies have turned up evidence that climate change is likely to result in more and bigger fires in Western forests.

You’ll also hear from Josh Lawler of the UW’s College of Forest Resources on how a changing climate that respects no borders will affect plants, animals and their habitats found in designated wilderness areas.

Politics. Is wilderness just for liberals? The history of the Wilderness Act and the conservative roots of stewardship would argue otherwise. Yet in recent years, a partisan split has afflicted wilderness advocacy. Speakers from Trout Unlimited, The Nature Conservancy and Republicans for Environmental Protection will talk about pulling wilderness away from the red-blue divide.

Changing demographics. Hike through a wilderness area and chances are the vast majority of visitors that you’ll see are white. As the nation becomes more ethnically diverse, how will the joys and challenges of wilderness be brought to new audiences? Speakers from Seattle’s Office of Civil Rights and Seattle Public Utilities’ Environmental Justice Department will throw a spotlight on at-times uncomfortable topics regarding the conservation movement and ethnic diversity.

The conference will grapple with many other timely wilderness topics — the impacts of the growing popularity of motorized recreation on public lands, the spiritual obligations of stewardship, the intriguing idea of extending wilderness preservation to the natural marvels beneath the sea.

All the issues that the conference will raise touch on the future of wilderness — a bequest that was given us by our forebears and one that we hold in trust for future generations. How well we discharge that stewardship responsibility is in our hands.

Jim DiPeso of Shoreline is policy director of Republicans for Environmental Protection (www.rep.org). His e-mail address is jdipeso@rep.org.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Opinion

toon
Editorial cartoons for Saturday, Feb. 8

A sketechy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

bar graph, pie chart and diagrams isolated on white, 3d illustration
Editorial: Don’t let state’s budget numbers intimidate you

With budget discussions starting soon, a new website explains the basics of state’s budget crisis.

Comment: Democracy depends on support of local journalism

A state bill provides funding to support local news outlets through a modest tax on tech businesses.

Comment: Love is intoxicating; romance doesn’t have to be

Navigating sobriety while dating, with Valentine’s Day coming up, is possible and fulfilling.

Comment: State attempt at single-payer health care bound to fail

Other states have tried, but balked when confronted with the immense cost to state taxpayers.

Forum: Requiem for a lost heavyweight: Sports Illustrated

SI, with Time and NatGeo, were a holy trinity for me and my dad. Now, it’s a world of AI clickbait.

Forum: Political leaders should leave trash talk to ballplayers

Verbal intimidation is one thing on the basketball court; it shouldn’t have a place in our politics.

The Buzz: Why, no, we have complete trust in Elon Musk

But whatever he and Trump are doing to the country, could they please wish it into the cornfield?

Curtains act as doors for a handful of classrooms at Glenwood Elementary on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Editorial: Schools’ building needs point to election reform

Construction funding requests in Arlington and Lake Stevens show need for a change to bond elections.

FILE- In this Nov. 14, 2017, file photo Jaìme Ceja operates a forklift while loading boxes of Red Delicious apples on to a trailer during his shift in an orchard in Tieton, Wash. Cherry and apple growers in Washington state are worried their exports to China will be hurt by a trade war that escalated on Monday when that country raised import duties on a $3 billion list of products. (Shawn Gust/Yakima Herald-Republic via AP, File)
Editorial: Trade war would harm state’s consumers, jobs

Trump’s threat of tariffs to win non-trade concessions complicates talks, says a state trade advocate.

A press operator grabs a Herald newspaper to check over as the papers roll off the press in March 2022 in Everett. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald file photo)
Editorial: Push back news desert with journalism support

A bill in the state Senate would tax big tech to support a hiring fund for local news outlets.

toon
Editorial cartoons for Friday, Feb. 7

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.