Source: Campaign for America 's Wilderness
Posted by: Campaign for America's Wilderness - archive
Posted on: Sep 21, 2004 @ 11:09 am

GALA SPOTLIGHTS CONTRIBUTIONS OF VOLUNTEERS, LAWMAKERS,
OVER 40 YEARS OF WILDERNESS PROTECTION

Terry Tempest Williams:
�Without wilderness, we would be less American.�

Washington, DC � September 20, 2004 � More than 400 wilderness conservation activists gathered at the National Press Club last night at a gala dinner celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Wilderness Act. Special guest Robert Redford pointed out the unique richness of America �s wild landscapes, and the special legacy that all Americans share because we have set aside some of those lands as �forever wild.�

�There are many great places in the world, but where else, in what other country can we find such an abundance of natural treasures as Yosemite, Yellowstone, the Sierras, the Tetons?� asked Redford, who has been a lifelong advocate of wilderness conservation. �I sought the mountains and the deserts and other wild places in the west to find solace for myself.�

�Now, like most Americans, who cherish the wide open spaces in this country, I feel that we owe it to future generations to protect those places from as much as possible, because uncorrupted beauty is really a rarity in these modern times. We have to fight now, right now, for our public right to preserve this fabulous gift of natural heritage.�

The keynote address was delivered by former Secretary of Interior Stewart Udall, who praised Senator Byrd, who was honored last evening, as �the conscience of the Senate,� and recalled the bipartisan spirit of the Congress that led to the overwhelming vote that passed the Wilderness Act in 1964, and the uniquely American character of wilderness preservation.

�The wilderness idea originated here in this country; the national park idea originated in this country,� said Udall, who served in the Kennedy and Johnson administrations. Noting that wilderness protection bills for several states are currently awaiting Congressional action, he reminded the assembled activists, �The essential elements of the bill were there when the bill was passed. Then citizens all over this country, from the West and the East, got behind wilderness bills, and that�s how we got to the 106 million acres protected today. But the fight is not over.�

He closed his remarks with a quote from Senator Clinton P. Anderson of New Mexico , whose efforts were instrumental in the passage of the original Wilderness Act in 1964. "Wilderness is an anchor to windward. Knowing that it is there, we can also know that we are still a rich nation, tending our resources as we should -- not a people in despair, searching every last nook and cranny of our land for a board of lumber, a barrel of oil, a blade of grass, or a tank of water."

Senator Robert Byrd (D-WV) and Congressman John Dingell (D-MI) were among those recognized for their role in passing the landmark conservation legislation, signed 40 years ago this month.

Congressman Dingell was presented with the first John P. Saylor Wilderness Leadership Award, which honors a member of the U.S. House of Representatives �whose conservation record and commitment to public lands protection is distinguished by long tenure and consistent leadership.� Rep. Saylor, a Republican from Pennsylvania , was the father of the Wilderness Act in the U.S. House of Representatives � its lead sponsor through the eight years of debate and a stalwart in its implementation until his death in 1973.

Senator Robert C. Byrd was presented with the first Hubert H. Humphrey Wilderness Leadership Award, which honors a member of the U.S. Senate �who gives exemplary leadership for wilderness preservation and whose commitment to the betterment of his or her constituency extends to those in future generations.�

�Senator Byrd has been a hero to many people,� said William H. Meadows, President of The Wilderness Society, one of the conservation groups bestowing the award. �But to those of us in the wilderness movement, Senator Byrd is a living legend. He helped pass the original Wilderness Act 40 years ago, and has lead the fight to protect special places across the country and in his home state of West Virginia ever since.�

Mary Wimmer , a professor of Biochemistry at West Virginia University, picked up the Wilderness Forever Future Leadership Award The award, presented for the first time last evening, honors a representative volunteer wilderness advocate from the current generation -- the generation that is making the vision of Howard Zahniser (who led the campaign to pass the Wilderness Act) � of a �wilderness-forever future� come alive.

Activist Pauline Dyer of Seattle, Washington, was honored with the first Sally A. Kabisch Spirit of Wilderness Award, given to one whose �advocation as a volunteer demonstrates longtime commitment to wilderness preservation, passionate advocacy, and contributions that inspire others to act.�

Dr. Edgar Wayburn of San Francisco , California , was presented with the Howard C. Zahniser Lifetime Achievement Award, given for the first time, to someone �whose life of achievement in protecting wilderness most closely parallels those of the person principally responsible for the Wilderness Act.� Dr. Wayburn, a leader of the Sierra Club since the 1940s, had a central role in the establishment of Redwood National Park and the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and in the passage of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act. �The 40th anniversary of the Wilderness Act is a unique opportunity to reflect on the incredible stories of the people who fought so hard for the wild places they cherish, said Carl Pope, Sierra Club executive director. �Dr. Wayburn is one of these amazing conservation conservation heroes who has helped safeguard some of the very best of wild America .�

�This celebration is as much about people as it is about wild places,� concluded Mike Matz, executive director of the Campaign for America �s Wilderness. �The Wilderness Act is a visionary piece of legislation that has given people around the country the ability to protect their backyard. It�s a tool that continues to be used by everyday people � teachers, ranchers, artists, business owners, writers, waiters, lawyers and folks from all walks of life � to ensure that a bit more of the nation�s amazing wild landscape can be handed down to their children � and theirs.�

�Wilderness is the ultimate open space of democracy,� said author Terry Tempest Williams, who served as master of ceremonies for the event. Speaking of Aldo Leopold, Olaus and Mardie Murie and the other wilderness preservation pioneers, she said, �Our elders started a conversation, and the conversation turned into ideas, and the ideas turned into public policy that literally changed the face of this country. Without wilderness, we would be less American.�

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Contact: Susan Whitmore, Campaign for America's Wilderness, (202) 266-0435, Pete Rafle of The Wilderness Society, 202-429-2642

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