2025 was not an easy year for protecting wilderness, but we're proud of our work to build a vibrant and diverse wilderness movement, rebuild a strong presence in Washington, DC, cultivate champions in Congress, and build relationships with Indigenous Peoples and Tribal Nations. See you in 2026!

Wilderness of the Month: Bruneau-Jarbidge Rivers Wilderness

Location: Idaho
Size: 89,820 acres
Designated: 2009

(Photo courtesy of the Bureau of Land Management)

We are deeply alarmed by the nomination of Steve Pearce as Dir. of Bureau of Land Management. Pearce has villainized public lands, called for the sale of irreplaceable landscapes, sought to eliminate protections for wilderness-quality lands, and aimed to weaken bedrock environmental legislation.

Wilderness is a bipartisan issue! That's why the National Wilderness Coalition works to recruit and nurture champions in Congress who believe in wilderness and who are willing to advocate for new designations and defend the Wilderness Act against attacks.

NWC is proud to work w/ @elpcenter.bsky.social, the Midwest’s leading environmental legal advocacy organization. They drive transformational policy changes, show that environmental progress and economic development can be achieved together, and defend the Midwest’s wild and natural places.

Wilderness of the Month: Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness

Location: Colorado
Size: 181,973 acres
Designated: 1964, expanded in 1980

(Photo courtesy of US Forest Service)

80+ advocates packed the room in DC for our first live recording during National Wilderness Week. Senator Tina Smith joins us to talk about the Boundary Waters, the threats facing public lands, and the power of stories, persistence, and people working together. On all the players and thewildidea.com

Big thank you to Senator Tina Smith of Minnesota (@smith.senate.gov) for joining today's live recording of The Wild Idea Podcast (@wildideapod.bsky.social) with the National Wilderness Coalition! Listen to the conversation when the episode drops on September 23 anywhere you listen to podcasts.

Follow us as wilderness & public lands advocates gather in D.C. to talk to Congress about how important wild places are to our communities, economies & ecosystems! You can even join a live recording of @wildideapod.bsky.social w/ Sen. Tina Smith! thewildideapodcastlivewithsenatorsmith.eventbrite.com

The National Wilderness Coalition opposes the Administration’s proposed rescission of the regulatory definition of “harm” under the Endangered Species Act. This attack on endangered species–and the public lands they inhabit–would have devastating impacts on American landscapes including wilderness