William H. Meadows, President of The Wilderness Society.

The Wilderness Society enjoyed another highly successful year in 2007, thanks to the thousands of members and partners across the country who make our work possible. Our dreams for America are bold and far-reaching, and the time to act is now. Our mission statement says it best:

To protect wilderness and inspire Americans to care for our wild places

Change is in the air. Growing concern about climate change is raising the public’s consciousness about the environment. That shift, along with a more conservation-minded Congress, has helped us, after seven long years, move beyond a mostly defensive approach in the policy arena. Soon a new administration and reconfigured Congress will take office. Important opportunities lie ahead, and we are preparing for life in a more environmentally friendly atmosphere—where safeguarding the natural world that sustains us is the norm, not the exception.

With global climate changing rapidly, wilderness is more important than ever, and we are committed to adding 25 million acres to the National Wilderness Preservation System by 2015. More than 20 wilderness bills were introduced in the 110th Congress, including legislation to protect acreage in the Tumacacori Highlands of Arizona, Alaska’s rainforest, the mountains and deserts of California, Oregon’s majestic Mt. Hood, Rocky Mountain National Park, central Idaho, the Wild Sky region of Washington, Virginia, and West Virginia. Every acre increases the odds that native species will have enough room to survive—and thrive—despite the uncertainties of a changing climate.

Brenda Davis, chair of The Wilderness Society's Governing Council.

Our focus is clear: protect more land and inspire others to care. We want to permanently protect 60 million acres of pristine, roadless forests through new legislation. We have launched a major initiative to garner millions of dollars from the carbon auctions now under discussion on Capitol Hill to subsidize the acquisition and restoration of prime habitat across the public land systems.

Our insightful scientific and economic analyses and the local partnerships we build are the keys to our success. For example, the findings from one economic study this year, which forecast another 125,000 oil and gas wells turning iconic Western landscapes into industrial zones, helped move local ranchers and sportsmen to oppose development on sites where it just does not belong. It is exciting to know that thousands more potential new allies like these are out there, people who could transform the politics of land conservation and change what happens on the ground. We invest in these relationships every day.

The programs you have supported during these past 12 months are a testament to your faith in us. We thank you for your help and look forward to spending another year together working for the wilderness we cherish.

Brenda Davis
Chair, Governing Council

William H. Meadows
President