WILD

Solastalgia – Homesick for the wilderness

Over the weekend, the NY Times Magazine published a very poignant article by Daniel B. Smith titled "Is there an Ecological Unconscious?"  The article was circulated to all of those associated with WILD, not just because of its timely message but because of its resonance with the vision of WILD and the work of our founder, Dr. Ian Player.  The article delves into the human psyche's need for wild-nature and our dependence on wild-ecosystems beyond the quantitative needs of clean air, fresh water and fertile soils.   In order to protect wilderness, we must first understand our multi-faceted connection to it.  ... Read More

Last of the Wild – Overview of wilderness in Europe by PAN Parks

This week PAN Parks released a new publication "Last of the Wild: Overview of the status and monitoring of some wilderness related species in the NATURA 2000 Network," which presents the current status of iconic species such as the lynx, brown bear, wolf, ibex and others to help further protection of habitat for these species and advocate for large-landscape scale conservation efforts in Europe.   The general conclusion of the publication is that wilderness is good, and interconnected wilderness is even better -- which aligns with WILD's new vision "At Least Half Wild."  Read More

International League of Conservation Writers

One of the many outcomes from WILD9, the 9th World Wilderness Congress (6-13 November 2009, Merida, Mexico), was the formation of the International League of Conservation Writers.  A development of the 3-day Writers Seminar Series, an esteemed group of environmental writers have joined together.  Thus far, the group is a loose collection of environmental writers, with the 'hub' of the group at Fulcrum Publishing in Golden, Colorado.  The group aspires to provide mentorship for up-and-coming writers, provide camaraderie among top wilderness writers and recognize the importance of writing within the conservation movement.  Within the next few months, they will post ... Read More

Reflections on Endangered Experiences, December 2009 IJW

Reflections on Endangered Experiences: Returning to Our Roots, by Joseph W. Roggenbuck is published in the December 2009 issue of the International Journal of Wilderness.  To read other select articles from this and other issues, and to subscribe to the IJW please visit www.ijw.org. Introduction My purpose here is to reflect on a happy career as a wilderness researcher, teacher, and enthusiast, and to offer concerns, insights, and recommendations about an idea, a system of special places, and a profession that are very dear to me. This essay is organized into four parts. First, I outline my own background, and the persons, ... Read More

IUCN Launches book in Spanish and Russian

News from Bas VeIUCN launches Spanish and Russian versions of its Sacred Natural Sites: Guidelines for Protected Area Managers – a landmark publication to support the protection of sacred places around the world. The the Spanish version will be presented the Tuesday the 10th at 16:00 (café session 1) at the Ninth World Wilderness Congress (WILD9, www.wild9.org) which started last week in Merida, Mexico. The Russian version was launched at the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) meeting on the protection of traditional knowledge (www.cbd.int/doc/?meeting=WG8J-06) which ended last week in Montreal, Canada.  Read the full press-release inENGLISH andSPANISH. Read More

Philanthropy, from Reality to TV

William A. Schambra's column in the current Chronicle of Philanthropy -- "The Philanthropist Rebuts Grant-Making Professionals" -- is an insightful review of a new television show, The Philanthropist, that provides perceptive comment on philanthropy today. It caused me to reflect. It has been a long time since "The Millionaire" was on TV, and I surely date myself by referring to it. As a kid I was of course fascinated with the weekly scenario where a polite character named Michael Anthony (personal assistant for industrialist John Beresford Tipton) turns up at someone's door and hands over a ... Read More

How to Build an Earth-Friendly Community

Author Nancy H. Taylor's new book "Go Green: Building an Earth-Friendly Community," is the updated "100 Ways to Save the Planet."  Taking things one step beyond recycling and riding your bike, Nancy looks provides many user-friendly suggestions for reducing our carbon food-print, replacing our appetite for fossil fuels and supporting our local community.  Some of her suggestions include: buying local, organic and sustainable food, starting community programs in support of light rail systems, green hospitals and schools and smart city planning, and protecting fragile ecosystems. You can here an interview with Nancy and read 10 practical green living tips at ... Read More

Kamchatka – Real Wilderness.

Kamchatka is real wilderness. This peninsula hangs into the Bering Sea and Pacific Ocean off the very eastern end of Russia. It is home to the world's highest diversity of salmon with huge runs up wild rivers; large populations of brown bear; traditional reindeer-herding cultures; Krontosky Nature Reserve and its Valley of Geysers (a World Heritage Area); and much more. Famed conservation photographers - Igor Shpelinok, Russia, and Patricio Robles Gil, Mexico (and with nature writer Laura Williams) - teamed up to produce a spectacularly beautiful little book about Kamchatka, a place they (and many of us) love. In ... Read More

Wildlands Philanthropy Event a Success

Many thanks to everyone who attended "Celebrating a Century of Conservation Philanthropy" last week with Kris Tompkins and Tom Butler.  The presentation at the library was both inspiring and informative, and the conversations at the reception were fun and engaging.  I really enjoyed meeting both Kris and Tom, as well as many local conservationists and outdoor adventurists!  Here's a photo of Charlotte Baron, WILD's Board Chair, and Kris Tompkins at the reception - smile!  Stay tuned for another Series E event in the early summertime! Read more about Kris's work with Conservacion Patagonica > Read more about "Wildlands Philanthropy, The Great American ... Read More

A WILD year

Now, I know that WAY too many things happened here at WILD in 2008 to possibly recap in one blog. But I thought I'd go ahead and give a few highlights. This year, we: Provided urgently needed conservation supplies to Angola's Kissama National Park and Chad's Zakouma National Park (Northern Africa); With the International League of Conservation Photographers, launched and implemented Rapid Assessment Visual Expeditions (RAVE) in Bioko and Wyoming; Read More