In case you’re unfamiliar with northern Quebec….that’s A LOT OF LAND! Here’s a map:

To support this great plan by Quebec, our Nature Needs Half teammate Marie-Eve, a native French Canadian, drafted a petition and we’re working to get as many signers to support the plan! Marie-Eve tells us that your encouragement would mean a lot to the government and people of Quebec. We’ll send the message with all of the signatures to Premier Charest on 12 October. *Sign the petition!*

Success of the Plan Nord means that in addition to the current protected areas in Quebec, Quebec will add an area the size of France or an area the size of California and Florida – combined – to its protected area network — and additional 600,000 square km (144 million acres) by 2035.

A few quick facts about Quebec’s North

• Located above the 49th parallel, the total area of the Plan Nord is 1,200,000 sq km, which represents 72% of the province;
• 26% of the land is already in dedicated to industry, forestry, mining exploration and energy, mainly hydro-electric;
• 9.15 % of the north is already protected through various designations;
• 4 aboriginal nations live there: the Crees, the Inuit, the Naskapi and the Innu;
• The north is entirely covered in Boreal forest, Taiga and Tundra. The forest represents a quarter of Canada’s remaining boreal ecosystem. Boreal forests are globally important because of their unique ecosystem traits and their role in storing carbon; and,
• The Government and Industries are planning to invest millions of dollars in new roads to facilitate industrial development, but groups and citizens have achieved to get a commitment to protect at least half of the land.

Learn more about the Plan Nord >

Send your support to Premier Charest. Feel free to add your own words of encouragement as a comment! >

From the fall harvest to the changing leaves, cool evenings and clear skies, September is a great month to reflect upon the wonderful gifts of a bountiful summer and look forward to the changing seasons ahead. **I guess if you don’t like snow, or if you live in a climate that doesn’t vary much…this might not resonate with you.  But, in general, September tends to bring about a sense of a new start and fresh perspective.  Perhaps that relates to the ingrained patterns of the US school system?  For whatever reason, it is September.

From my quick research, the Presidential proclamation of National Wilderness Month began 2009, with an official honoring of the 1964 Wilderness Act and recognizing the Obama administration’s Omnibus Public Land Management Act.  In 2010, President Obama commented on our obligation to ensure that future generations have the same opportunities to explore and enjoy wild-nature as we have:

“This month, we renew our pledge to build upon the legacy of our forebears. Together, we must ensure that future generations can experience the tranquility and grandeur of America’s natural places. As we resolve to meet this responsibility, let us also reflect on the ways in which our lives have been enriched by the gift of the American wilderness.”

In his 2011 proclamation, the President focused on the many benefits we receive from wild-nature. I found his comments to speak so clearly to why WILD and our partners are committed to the Nature Needs Half vision.  Our dependence on wild-nature is undeniable.  Wild-nature not only provides wonderful recreation opportunities, but supports our life – and all life.  Here’s a brief excerpt:

“As we continue our country’s proud journey and explore new opportunities in the 21st century, the importance of maintaining our wilderness has only grown. Protecting our wilderness areas and their riches — clean water, stretches of undisturbed land, thriving wildlife, and healthy ecosystems — is critical to the health of our environment and our communities. Today, wilderness areas serve as places for us to roam, hunt, fish, and find solitude. They are also strong engines of local economies, providing tourism and recreation revenue for communities.”

At 444,000 square kms, KAZA is roughly the size of Sweden and encompasses some of the most outstanding wilderness and wildlife in Africa, including the largest concentration of African elephant in the world. The concept and plan has been driven by WILD’s close collaborator, the Peace Parks Foundation, based in Stellenbosch in South Africa’s Western Cape.  Learn more about this great step forward for transboundary conservation in Africa >

Professor Dan Laffoley, Senior Advisor at the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and contributor to the workshop, emphasises the vital role of the ocean for humans and the deadly combination of stressors at play in the short video below:

Here is a summary of the findings:

• The combination of stressors on the ocean is creating the conditions associated with every previous major extinction of species in Earth’s history
• The speed and rate of degeneration in the ocean is far faster than anyone has predicted
• Many of the negative impacts previously identified are greater than the worst predictions.
• Although difficult to assess because of the unprecedented speed of change, the first steps to globally significant extinction may have begun with a rise in the extinction threat to marine species such as reef forming corals.

Read the full press release, case studies and report >

In a joint announcement of this most recent conservation accomplishment within the Lubombo Transfrontier Conservation Area (“peace park”), PPF and Mozambique announced full protection of the Futi Corridor, connecting Ndumo and Tembe Game Reserves in South Africa with the Maputo Special Elephant Reserve 33 miles (50km) to the north.

This critical initiative adds 24,000 ha (60,000 acres) to Mozambique’s protected areas, restoring landscape connectivity for the first time in over 50 years so that elephants and other wildlife can resume their historic migrations. Such a move not only benefits wildlife, but it assists the local communities by ensuring better ecological services (that support and enhance all life) from this important and extensive seasonal wetland, and creates an unusual new draw for tourism

This area on the Edge of the Indian Ocean will be the end point of In the Tracks of Giants , an expedition (and a Nature Needs Half initiative) crossing Southern Africa in 2012.

We have a pretty good idea of what we mean by “wilderness” on land, but not nearly so much when we look toward the sea. We have called quite a few places in the ocean and along the coast “wilderness”, but only a small number of these areas actually have been established as “wilderness” under law or policy. We do have around a dozen designated wilderness areas in ocean and coastal waters in the United States, and a very small handful of areas in other countries around the world, but many fewer than our more informal “wilderness” self-identification of marine protected areas would suggest.

It has been said that wilderness is “what we believe it to be”. Therefore, this human perception of wilderness is important in shaping how we, as a culture, appropriately identify it to most effectively provide its inherent value in conserving ecosystems, and ultimately so that it can be appropriately preserved for future generations. For many, the idea of wilderness is deeply rooted in our collective history and heritage, and, therefore, while we may not know whether a particular area has been formally designated as wilderness under some law or policy, we know it when we see it.

The Marine Wilderness Collaborative and similar efforts related to the World Wilderness Congress have started to shape the concept of marine wilderness. Several other efforts are underway.

For example, a targeted survey is being conducted by our colleague Brad Barr (as part of his PhD dissertation at the University of Alaska) to help guide and inform the development of a robust definition for “ocean wilderness”, sometimes called “wilderness waters.” The purpose of the survey is to gather information on the views, beliefs, and perceptions of resource managers, scientists in relevant disciplines, and wilderness specialists (but all are welcome to participate) regarding the potential wilderness qualities of areas of the ocean and coastal waters.

The survey is targeted at illuminating how our collective perceptions of wilderness might be more robustly applied to defining areas of coastal and ocean waters that possess what we believe to be sufficient wilderness qualities and attributes appropriate and necessary for more formal wilderness designation.

Start the survey >>

The fine print……Your participation in this research study is voluntary. You may choose not to participate. If you decide to participate in this research survey, you may withdraw at any time. The procedure involves answering questions contained in an online survey that will take approximately 25 minutes to complete. Your responses will be confidential. No identifying information such as your name, email address or IP address is being collected as part of the study. All data is stored in a password protected electronic format. While the “SurveyMonkey” service being used to the conduct the survey is very secure, great attention is being given to keeping your information completely confidential. The results of this study will be used for scholarly purposes only, and all survey information published will be limited to the synthesized results of the analysis of the response data.

If you have any questions about your rights as a research participant, contact Dr. Claudia Lampman, Compliance Officer for the Office of Research Studies and the Graduate School, University of Alaska Anchorage at 907-786-1099. If you have any questions about the research study, please feel free to contact Brad Barr at bwbarr (at) alaska.edu. Thank you very much in advance for taking the time to share your thoughts about this important topic.

Africa Geographic reporter Ian Michler recently highlighted the positive conservation progress and goals of Botswana and the unique Okavango Delta system. He touts Botswana’s commitment to non-consumptive, photography-based low-volume ecotourism as a key reason why the country’s wildlife and wildlands are in such great shape. Those who have been lucky enough to experience the Okavango, have seen first-hand why Michler commends the government’s conservation efforts and strategic partnerships that promote sound ecotourism practices, deter poachers and support community programs.

Michler states: “There may be nothing particularly remarkable about these initiatives, but there are two significant factors that set Botswana apart: a consistency of attitude and a commitment to action that are seldom seen elsewhere on the continent.”

Yet, surprisingly, the Okvango Delta is not yet recognized as a World Heritage Site. World Heritage listing would give the Okavango international recognition and support for continued protection. Working with the Wilderness Network & specifically the Wilderness Foundation (Africa), Dr. Karen Ross has engaged stakeholders, the private sector and the government to rally support for nomination. The initiative has made great strides, and the Botswana government is fully on-board. There is a lot of work to be done yet, though. Dr. Ross explains the process and the ecological significance of the Okavango in a recent article >

India and its wilderness has been on my personal radar since 1972 when (on a “modest” budget), I first walked in its jungles and deserts, rode 3rd class trains, dodged traffic, and wondered at its incredible diversity of nature, cultures, and colors, all bundled in a workable chaos. On the most recent of many working trips since them, I strengthened our numerous partnerships on the subcontinent, especially with our closest Indian collaborator, Sanctuary Asia.

Founded in 1990, inspired, and still guided by the remarkable Bittu Sahgal (a trustee of WILD), Sanctuary Asia is a voice for wild nature. In WHAT we do, WILD and Sanctuary Asia work through distinct yet similar and complementary approaches. In HOW we do it, we share almost identical operating styles and philosophies. We are both committed to getting the conservation work done rather than in following a corporate/institutional model of growth. Our metrics of success are also the same – we use work accomplished, land protected, and people educated instead of number of staff, size of budget, and type of headquarters.

Above all, we see that the only long-term and effective way to create a true partnership between wild nature and people is through enhancing a popular movement and encouraging leadership, rather than in perpetuating yet another institution.

I know of no one in the world who has done this more or better than Bittu. India has had and continues to have many committed and accomplished conservationists, scientists, biologists, and conservation activists, but Bittu has been the essential spark for, and tireless supporter of, the modern conservation movement in India. He works at all levels – -government, corporate and village, established leaders and youth. Watch a recent interview with Bittu on NewsX >

Clearly, one of his most remarkable achievements (among a list!) is in understanding, empowering and engaging youth as THE critical force in nature conservation. The result is Kids for Tigers, in which one million youth throughout India are involved.

India sorely needs legions of new, enthusiastic, and uncorruptable conservation activists. With the largest democracy in the world, the largest and fastest growing middle class, and an economy sizzling along at 9% growth rate, the reality of mindless development is matched only by the opportunity for personal greed and corruption. This creates one of the most complex and challenging conservation arenas in the world.

Over the next few weeks I’ll post another blog or three on some of the conservation issues, work, and people in India

Protecting the integrity and quality of our world’s wilderness and natural plant and animal habitats is a guaranteed way of ensuring that seed diversity and biodiversity remains high and thriving. Large and small areas of protected wilderness are teeming with all sorts of plant and animal species not found in every part of the world. And even in these segmented and isolated areas of protected wilderness, a larger number of plant species and high level of seed diversity equates to an increased variety of crops. And in these areas, the more species of plants and animals that are able to thrive without interference from human destruction and disturbance, the more likely these species are able to sustain and remain healthy, which allows these ecosystems to withstand and survive through all sorts of natural or human caused disasters and devastation.

The biodiversity of plant life in the wilderness also plays a significant role in the quality of our gradually dying atmosphere. These areas of protected wilderness help keep the planet’s atmosphere balanced and alive and we slowly depreciate its quality through our ever increasing levels of carbon emissions. This relationship between wilderness seed diversity and the quality of the atmosphere is a symbiotic one, for as the atmosphere depreciates as does the quality and survival rate of plant and animal diversity. And in times like these in our human history, when people around the world are suffering from impoverished economic circumstances, lack of access to clean water, and the inability to feed themselves and their families, the drive to protect the sanctity of our world’s wilderness has never been more felt.

The wealth of plant life that the wilderness has to offer is far greater than what any farm could produce and harvest. And ensuring the protection and survival of the world’s wilderness and plant life guarantees the survival of domesticated and farmed plants and crops. Thus, although not every species of plant found in the wilderness is capable of being consumed by humans and is seemingly perceived as useless, these plants maintain the balance of the ecosystems they are found in and are necessary to sustain high levels of seed and plant diversity. Whether deemed useful or useless to the average human, every plant plays its part in the functioning of a healthy, wild ecosystem. And the seed diversity found in the wilderness is integral to the sustaining of the global food supply.

Dana Livingston is a writer for a culinary institute website where you can browse schools and the latest trends in the culinary arena.

A priceless World Heritage Site in South Africa is highly endangered by an open-cast, coal, strip-mine operating recklessly right on its boundary – and that is now set to expand! Mapungubwe National Park – a World Heritage Site and critically important transfrontier conservation area straddling South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Botswana — honors and protects the wild, natural area that is the site of “one of the most complex kingdoms that ever existed in Africa”, some 1000 years ago.

The Australian mining company CoAL has submitted plans to expand the already damaging operations. Our South African sister organization in our Wilderness Network, the Wilderness Foundation, and Peace Parks Foundation (which WILD represents in the United States) have joined forces with three other conservation organizations in South Africa (Birdlife, WWF, and Endangered Wildlife Trust). Backed by the Centre for Applied Legal Studies at University of the Witwatersrand, they have filed a legal challenge, citing: improper and deficient Environmental Management Plan; unlawful conduct of operations; poor evaluation capacity; and more.

The WILD Foundation supports this action, asking you to actively solicit the South African government and CoAL to cease and desist, in order to save this priceless wilderness and cultural legacy.

Sign the petition >

More information >

Mapungubwa Hill

“On 8 April 1933, a remarkable discovery was made in the Transvaal, South Africa — a grave of unknown origin, filled with gold-work, was found on the summit of a natural rock stronghold in a wild region. This site was Mapungubwe Hill, which serves as the capital of the ancient Mapangubwe Kingdom, situated on the international borders between South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana. Since the site was discovered, the same story of Mapungubwe has been told. It’s a story of a flourishing Iron Age metropolis on the Limpopo ruled by an African king almost a thousand years ago.

The Kingdom comprised a sophisticated state system, with highly developed agriculture, mining, and metallurgy industries and traded with countries as far afield as China. According to the Archaeology Department at the University of the Witwatersrand, Mapungubwe represented ‘the most complex society in Southern Africa’.

In July 2003, the Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape became South Africa’s fifth World Heritage site and was officially announced as Mapungubwe National Park in May 2004”

Developing a long-term conservation plan for The Water Forest (Bosque de Agua) is extremely important for Mexico — the forested region provides water and other vital environmental services to a fifth of Mexico’s total population. Currently, the region is threatened by urban sprawl, land-use changes and illegal logging.  A concerted conservation effort is needed to ensure that the water is clean and usable by the people of Mexico City and Mexico at-large. 

The Water Forest is also home to many unique plant and animal species and is internationally recognized.  Its 237,000 hectares harbor 1.98% of the world’s biodiversity of flora and fauna species, 10% of its species are endemic; and it supplies 100% of the water of two RAMSAR sites: Cienegas de Lerma and the World Heritage Site of Xochimilco.

Participants reviewed the work compiled by the core-organizing group, the Document for the Conservation of the Water Forest, which compiles information on the Water Forest and the urgent need for integrated, long-term, strategic planning for its protection.  The document calls for the region to be managed under a Regional Strategic Plan as one protected areas, instead of how it is currently managed and regarded as a ‘mosaic of protected areas.’

As a result of the meeting, participants were better information about the conservation needs of the Water Forest – many made commitments for continued work.  The core-working group was strengthened by hearing the participants perspectives and adding two additional members to the core-working group.

This forum and continued effort in Mexico follows on the priorities set by WILD9 Resolution #12: Central Mexico’s Water Forest: Wilderness area of maximum national priority given the ecological services it renders to over 20 million people / El “Bosque de Agua” del Centro de Mexico: Area Silvestre de Maxima Prioridad Nacional dados los servicios ecologicos que les prove a mas de 20 millones de personas.

Helen McDade, head of policy, said: “We aim to use these petitions to send a clear signal to the government that many thousands of people care passionately about wild land and want to see it given greater protection. Thousands have expressed concerns about proposed major developments in much-loved wild areas such as the Cairngorms and Snowdonia National Parks, as well as the Western Isles and Shetland.  It is vitally important that everyone who cares about our landscape adds their voice to our campaign through signing this petition.”

The petitions are part of the Trust’s Wild Land Campaign, which aims to achieve greater protection for wild land from inappropriate development.

Scottish Natural Heritage figures show that the amount of land in Scotland unaffected by visual intrusion fell from 41% to 31% between 2002 and 2008. Wind turbines, electricity pylons, tracks and housing were major factors in this decline. Whilst there is less wild land in England, Northern Ireland and Wales, that makes it particularly valuable as a refuge from the stress of modern life.

Add your name today >

On May 19, in a significant step towards the first “peace park” between Mexico and the United States, protecting important transboundary wildlands, President of Mexico Felipe Calderon visited Washington DC and, with US President Barack Obama, made the following official announcement:

The Presidents noted the long history of bilateral cooperation in the conservation of natural and cultural resources. They recognized that Big Bend National Park and Rio Grande Wild and Scenic River in the United States and the Protected Areas of Maderas del Carmen, Cañon de Santa Elena, Ocampo, and Río Bravo del Norte in Mexico together comprise one of the largest and most significant ecological complexes in North America. In doing so, they recognized that increased cooperation in these protected areas would restrict development and enhance security in the region and within this fragile desert ecosystem. To preserve this region of extraordinary biological diversity, they expressed their support for the United States Department of Interior and the Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources of the United Mexican States to work through appropriate national processes to recognize and designate Big Bend – Rio Bravo as a natural area of bi-national interest. The Presidents underscored their commitment to manage the region in a way that enhances security and protects these areas for wildlife preservation, ecosystem restoration, climate change adaptation, wildland fire management, and invasive species control. (excerpt from Joint Statement)

The protection of the Big Bend – Rio Bravo region has been an ongoing conversation since the mid 1930s, with a major step forward following the declaration of the US Big Bend National Park in 1944. President Franklin Roosevelt, a leader very much interested in wilderness and the protection of natural lands, wrote a letter to Mexican President Manuel Avila Camacho, proposing the idea of an adjoining International Park. At the time, no action was taken. However, interest in the “magical” region remained of particular interest for high-seated political figures.

Discussion regarding the conservation of the region, as an important target area for both expanded nature conservation and for bilateral cooperation, was revived and WILD’s involvement began with conversations about a transboundary park during the planning and convening of the 8th World Wilderness Congress (Alaska 2005).

WILD ramped up efforts while planning for WILD9, the 9th World Wilderness Congress (November 2009, Merida, Mexico) when the WILD9 Executive Committee proposed the idea to Minister of Environment Juan Elvira Quesada. Minister Elvira, with Ernesto Enkerlin and his team from CONANP (National Commission for Protected Areas of Mexico), fast tracked this project, continually pursued the necessary cooperation and commitment from both sides of the border, ultimately leading to the announcement today.  Numerous NGOs in the US, the Mexican Embassy in Washington DC and the National Parks Service (International) also played key roles in reaching this important milestone.  Also of interest, there was a formal resolution (Resolution 33a) passed by the WILD9 delegates on transboundary parks, listing this region as a priority.

The Presidents discussed a wide range of issues, and reaffirmed their commitments to strategic partnerships on many levels. The full statement is available online.

We had a great staff retreat on Monday, lead by Dr. Ian McCallum. The program, called “Wild Leaders,” lead us through the creation of earth, evolution of species, composition and workings of the human-brain, and personal leadership and communication styles (in a Myers-Briggs type study). The training related to his most recent book, Ecological Intelligence, for which he was awarded the Wild Writers Award during WILD9, the 9th World Wilderness Congress. At WILD9, I had the great honor of introducing Dr. McCallum and presenting the award. It was a great treat to see him again, and learn from his awesome and diverse experience in psychology, medicine and conservation.  Ian also presented at WILD9 on his “In the Tracks Of Giants” program…which WILD is pretty excited about.  More on that later.

On Tuesday, we had a phenomenal planning session for Nature Needs Half™.  Things are moving.  More on that soon too!

Other news bits:

In my newsletter from The Big Wild this morning, I read about a boy scout troupe from Edmonton, Alberta (Canada) that hopes to collectively spend 1001 nights sleeping under the starts between now and the summer of 2011.   “1001 Bag Nights,” as they call it, is aimed at raising awareness and funds for the troupe to participate in the World Scouting Jamboree in Sweeden in 2011.  As a life-time girl-scout, with many fond memories of scouting trips, I think this is a pretty cool idea!  Read more about 1001 Bag Nights >

News from the Flathead Valley: great media coverage today in The Globe and Mail on exploring the Flathead Valley, following author Bruce Kirkby, Dave Quinn and John Bergenske on a hike through the Flathead Valley basin.  Great read, takes you on a tour through this beautiful and ecologically rich landscape. 

This week was National Environmental Education Week, an important week to recognize the important role of environmental education in building environmental stewardship among youth, and also to focus on the issues of water and energy, this year’s EE week themes.

And last, but CERTAINLY not least, US President Obama launched the “America’s Great Outdoors” initiative today during a brief speech at the Interior Deparment.  Our Senior Director of Project Development and Government Relations Julie Dunn attended and was excited about the new initiative.  “Even in times of crisis, we’re called to take the long view to preserve our national heritage — because in doing so we fulfill one of the responsibilities that falls to all of us as Americans, and as inhabitants of this same small planet,” Obama said. “And that is the responsibility that we are rising to meet today.”

Did you know that more than 2 million hectares of the Amazon under private ownership is protected by some form of conservation effort?  It’s a pretty amazing fact — and the Amazon is a pretty amazing place.   One in ten known species in the world live in the Amazon Rainforest.  The Amazon is under great threat from deforestation, destruction and development, which not only destroy the forest and the animals and plants living there, but also releases stored carbon into the atmosphere.  Since the industrial revolution, at least 25% of all all emissions have come from destroying wild nature - destroying forests and other natural land, such as the Amazon, is a huge component to global climate change. 

Bruno Monteferri (Peruvian Society for Environmental Law), a friend of WILD’s and WILD9 delegate, recently published a book highlighting the private conservation efforts in the Amazon.  Private Conservation in Amazonian Countries presents how private, voluntary initiatives are being promoted and the obstacles and challenges faced in these initiatives.

The book is a great resource for furthering conservation efforts in the Amazon.  It contains country reports from Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, French Guiana, Peru, Suriname and Venezuela, and a comparative analysis on the state of private conservation in Amazonian countries – providing an overview of the legal and economic incentives of conservation efforts in the Amazon.  You can download the comparative analysis (English) and the complete book (Spanish) online.  To learn more about this book, you can contact Bruno (bmonteferri (a) spda.org.pe).

In a press release on 15 Feburary, Sky Island Alliance biologist Sergio Avila  commented:  “Northern jaguars are a reality and they want to stay. Jaguars don’t recognize political boundaries; instead they choose robust prey populations, open space and safe corridors. This healthy feline represents our chance to recover this species in the region.”

Carlos R. Elias, co-owner of the El Aribabi ranch located just 30 miles south of the US/Mexico Border in the Mexican state of Sonora, is working closely with the Sky Islands Alliance as part of the Northern Mexico Conservation Program.   This conservation-rancer collaboration partnership celebrated last week, when a jaguar was photographed by a remote camera along an isolated canyon.  

“We are thrilled about the results of this collaborative project,” said Carlos R. Elias “Our family has worked hard to restore ecological processes in this land. We hope this gets the attention of government agencies and foundations, so we can establish a sustainable model that protects biodiversity and supports landowners and their families at the same time.”

The El Aribaba ranch is a critical habitat for the northern jaguar and this photograph marks a milestone in the recovery of the endangered cat.  The ranch itself is of critical importance — in 2005 it was named a World Biodiversity Hostpot (by Conservation International) and it hosts over 35 pant and animal species protected by Mexican law, including the jaguar, golden eagels, Chiricahua leopard frogs and ocelots.    The ranchwas listed as priority area for conservation by CONANP (Mexican national parks agency) and is just about to be designated as a private preserve.

“The jaguar’s presence in this area confirms the excellent ecological conditions on the property and highlights the landowner’s efforts to protect biodiversity,” Avila said. “Jaguars in northern Mexico are the hope for jaguar recovery in the United States; this is a reminder of our responsibility and an opportunity to do things right this time.”

A key part of the jaguar recovery program is linking lands together to form a large enough habitat for these predators.  This requires cooperation from many stakeholders and focused attention on important passageways along the US/Mexico border.  Animal’s don’t follow our defined political boundaries and it is critically important to allow for natural migration paths, regardless of national or regional borders.  “Predators are crucial for healthy ecosystems,” said Mexican rancher, Carlos R. Elias. “Open space, wild prey populations and wildlife corridors across the region, and across the international US/Mexico border, are vital for their survival. We have to protect and maintain those connections.”  Read the full press release.

Working with El Aribaba is just one piece of the Sky Island Alliance’s work to protect and restore the rich natural heritage of native species and habitats in the Sky Island region of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico.  Melanie Emerson, Executive Director of the Alliance, spoke during the WILD9 plenary sessions and her presentation is available online in both English and Spanish.

“This wildlife corridor will cover about 1.4 million square kilometres – connecting both public and private land – to provide a continuous refuge of native habitat,” Mr Rann (SA premier) said.

“It is designed to help a huge section of Australia’s native flora and fauna survive and adapt to the threats of fire, drought and other fallouts of climate change,” Mr Henderson (NT Chief Minister) said.  More information can be found on the Nature-Links website and on the media release from the Northern Territory.

We knew something was up, and hoped for the best.  When Harvey returned, we listened with great anticipation as he described the breaking news from British Columbia.  In just a few short hours, he said, it was anticipated that Lt. Governor Steven Point would make an announcement about the Flathead River Valley in the annual state of the Throne Speech.  Nothing was definite, but from the several phone calls that followed, bringing together the campaign partners to draft an announcement and organizing key spokespersons on responses to the anticipated announcement, we had a feeling that there would be a break-through for the campaign.  A few short hours later, we had confirmation:

“Mining, oil and gas development and coalbed gas extraction will not be permitted in British Columbia’s Flathead Valley,” Point said.

Conservationists working on the campaign are thrilled by the announcement, which also includes a commitment to working with the US state of Montana on conservation objectives, but are still waiting to see the fully detailed plan.  Locke comments: “The announcement from BC’s Speech from the Throne…represents a major milestone for our campaign but does not equate to complete success.”  There is still much work to actualize the goal of an expansion of Waterton-Glacier National Park/Peace-Park to include the Flathead River Valley.  But, without a doubt…there was some celebration of this important milestone!

Read more from the New York Times coverage >

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.“ 

The best science tells us that protecting wild-nature is essential for biodiversity conservation and mitigation & adaptation to climate change.  Protecting wild-nature is also essential for human societies, in countless ways ranging from ecosystem services to spiritual well-being.  The new publication by PAN Parks provides us with one more tool in advocating for protecting wilderness, and is an especially powerful tool in Europe given the EU legislation encouraging re-introduction of extinct species to wilderness areas and support of improved wilderness protection, approved last February and supported by the convening of the Conference on Wilderness and Large Natural Habitat in Prague (May 2009).

Read more about the “Last of the wild” publication and all of PAN Parks work for wilderness in Europe >