WILD

Protecting Wild Nature on Native Lands, Vol. II now available!

Volume II of Protecting Wild Nature on Native Lands: Case Studies by Native Peoples from around the World is now available as a free download, or for purchase as a hard copy. This volume of case studies is the second in an ongoing series produced through the Native Lands and Wilderness Council (NLWC), a platform for indigenous knowledge exchange and capacity building that ensures that the knowledge and wisdom of indigenous peoples influences the policies, practices and approaches of the global wilderness conservation movement. These case studies highlight indigenous peoples' strategies for coexisting with and managing their wild lands and ... Read More

Help us save the Fishing Cat!

Morgan and Joanna of our CAT in WATER team sent us the latest update on their field expedition in Thailand. The girls are making great progress on tracking the fishing cat and even captured their first glimpse on the camera trap! Read what the team has to say about their obstacles and possible solutions...will you help us save the fishing cat? Read More

CAT in WATER

“CAT in WATER” – our multimedia initiative focused on the shy and threatened fishing cat -- is literally coping with too much water!  The CAT team, Morgan and Joanna,  arrived in Thailand last week in the midst of the worst flooding in a century.  A simple two day journey to the field site in Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park --  where they will join field biologist Namfon Cutter and her Fishing Cat Research and Conservation Project – turned into a week of detours around flooded areas, plus a trip to the hospital for Morgan.  Her GI tract is back ... Read More

A Bison Blog—From Yellowstone to Haarlem

In a recent, three-day period I had wild encounters of a similar sort on two continents. Both encounters tell a story of past and current “re-wilding,” enabled through the vision and dedication of people and organizations that understand the essential role of wildness in a healthy and sane planet earth.  We need these positive stories as much as we need the return of wildness that they chronicle. Read More

WILD in Colorado—Decalibron Loop

Since I have lived in Colorado, I've heard more and more about how I need to go climb a 14er. When I first moved out here about a year ago, my first question was, “What is a 14er?” Well, when I found out it was a mountain that exceeds over 14,000 feet in height, I felt a little embarrassed for not realizing. But hey, coming from Pennsylvania, this was certainly not in my vocabulary. So this weekend, that’s what I did. A group of us set out and I climbed my first three 14ers. Read More

In Response to “National Wilderness Month”

Emily Loose’s blog about September being National Wilderness Month reminded me of the last time my husband and I went to our “secret” fishing spot in Wyoming and what we found when we arrived at our favorite camp site by the river… One can only imagine the horror I felt as we pulled our truck down the barely visible entrance to our campsite as the endless amounts of trash previous campers had left came into view. (The pictures do not do it justice!!!) I slowly got out of the truck and saw dirty diapers, socks, underwear, a pit full of more ... Read More

The Harvest Moon

This week, I wanted to share a poem about the Harvest Moon, which for those of us living the northern hemisphere, shone brightly this past Sunday & Monday nights.  The Harvest Moon is an often mis-understood phenomena with various legends and stories about its meaning.  The Harvest Moon comes only once a year, and is the full moon falling closest to the Autumnal Equinox (day of equal light and darkness, roughly speaking).  Simply stated, the Harvest Moon is unique because there is less time between sunset and moonrise than during other full moon nights.  The term "Harvest Moon" likely comes ... Read More

WILD in Colorado—Diamond Lake

This past Labor Day weekend I spent a day hiking in the Indian Peaks Wilderness. This very often visited area of 76,586 acres became part of the National Wilderness Preservation System in 1978 and is adjacent to the southern boundary of Rocky Mountain National Park.  My friend and I chose the Diamond Lake trail, which starts at the Fourth of July trailhead. To get there, you drive onto a dirt road where you need to pass the Hessie trailhead, and then continue on for another 5 miles until you reach the parking lot. Well, after parking in the wrong area, ... Read More

The Food

Part 4 of our wilderness journey Simphiwe told us to catch some grasshoppers for dinner, but not the colorful ones because they were noxious tasting and poisonous. He explained that he ate the insects since he was a child…very tasty, raw or grilled. Try it, you’ll like it…sort of thing. He could not keep a straight face for long. With a giggle he said he might fix something else for dinner even though what he said was true, that the non-colorful grasshoppers were very edible, he enjoys them, and they were eaten throughout Africa. Read More

The Camp

Part 3 of our wilderness journey I have to admit that I was a little nervous about 5 days of backpacking with no tent. Somehow, a tent give me a (perhaps false) sense of safety in the middle of the wilderness. But, I accepted that my trip to Africa was going to push my boundaries a bit, and so I had to chill out. No tent. Just a backpack. Water from the river. Deep breath. Our guides said “welcome home” each time we arrived at our campsite. The first night, I think this greeting surprised us. ... Read More