An open letter by Bill Meadows, inviting comment
November 3, 2010

Yesterday, Americans exercised their democratic right to vote, and from the results that have been counted, it's safe to say we will have a new dynamic in Congress in January.

So, what will this mean to the wild places you and I treasure and to the wildlife that calls these places home?

I don't need to tell you that caring for our public lands and wilderness is not a "republican" or "democratic" value. It is an American value. Wilderness is a very part of who we are as Americans. Our young nation tested its mettle against the wilderness, carved civilization and communities out of it, and had the sense to save some of it for future generations. It's a shared value that isn't defined by politics or geographic boundaries.

That doesn't mean that politics won't intervene in our 0 efforts to protect wilderness. Some new friends of the wilderness will come to our nation's capitol and some will depart. As always, we're going to need to work hard to build relationships that move our issues forward. The good news is The Wilderness Society has a proven record of doing just that - in all kinds of political weather. Our track record is proven by our 75 years of advocating - with support from people like you - to protect America's wild places.

Ours is a progressive agenda, one deeply rooted in American tradition.
Moving America forward to address climate change, new wilderness protection, renewable energy, oil and gas reforms, restore areas for wildlife and biological diversity - this is the work that we, with your help, will continue.

Our immediate agenda is to use the next two months [Ed: November and December, 2010] - eight weeks - to pass 20 bills that can protect nearly four million acres of wildlands, two million of which would be designated as Wilderness. There's also legislation to fully fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). And we'll be fending off efforts to weaken the EPA's ability to regulate carbon dioxide under the Clean Air Act, an important weapon against global warming.

You make this work possible. Standing with us in defense of our public lands and wilderness, you've helped us stave off oil and gas drilling in the Arctic Refuge during the Bush administration, success we've maintained during a dozen changes of Congress over our 75 year history. You've helped us expand the wilderness preservation system to nearly 110 million acres. You've helped establish new oil and gas reforms that will protect public health, our lands and wildlife for generations to come.

That's why we are counting on you now to help us continue our successes.

As we gear up for the challenges the next Congress brings, we'd like to hear from you. Tell us why you will continue to keep America wild.

Sincerely,
Bill Meadows
President, The Wilderness Society