House votes to protect public lands across the West

The Wilderness Society applauds the House of Representatives for passing legislation to protect magnificent public lands in California, Colorado, Washington, Nevada and Arizona - including permanent protection for the watershed of our national treasure, the Grand Canyon.

The House also rejected a terrible plan to hand over to the military more than a million acres in Nevada, part of the largest wildlife refuge outside of Alaska.

“National security and conservation are not competing goals. We can provide the military the training it needs without sacrificing our natural heritage. The Desert National Wildlife Refuge is too important to turn into a bombing range,” said Paul Spitler, Wilderness Policy Director for the Wilderness Society. "The public lands protected across the West in this legislation are critical to the health and well-being of millions of people. We call on the Senate to move quickly to finalize this legislation."

The Wilderness Society is grateful to House members who took action to safeguard the natural and cultural resources these lands offer, as well as the access to nature and tremendous outdoor recreation opportunities they provide.

CONTACTS: 

• Andrea Alday, Deputy Director Regional Communications, The Wilderness Society, (818) 512-7628, andrea_alday@tws.org
  
   
• Paul Spitler, Director of Wilderness Policy, The Wilderness Society, (202) 360-1912, paul_spitler@tws.org

The Wilderness Society, founded in 1935, is the leading conservation organization working to protect wilderness and inspire Americans to care for our wild places. With more than one million members and supporters, The Wilderness Society has led the effort to permanently protect 109 million acres of wilderness and to ensure sound management of our shared national lands. www.wilderness.org