Oregon Wild has done a lot to protect Oregon's natural heritage over the past three decades. Here's a look at some of the highlights. (Click here to see all we did in 2007).

Northwest Old Growth Forest Protection Campaign (1979-2004) Nationalized the ancient forest issue and raised public awareness about the values of old-growth forests. Advanced protection for millions of acres of old-growth habitat through wilderness legislation, the Northwest Forest Plan, and the "eastside screens."

Roadless Area Protection and conversion to wilderness proposals (1974-2004) Includes coordination and litigation of the Roadless Area Review and Evaluation (RARE I and RARE II) process, promulgation of the Roadless Area Conservation Rule, and the Oregon Wild Campaign. A historic 1984 lawsuit broke the national logjam regarding the U.S. Forest Service's inadequate review of roadless lands and led to state wilderness bills across the country. The January 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule provides interim protection for 58 million acres nationwide, including 1.9 million acres in Oregon.

Hells Canyon Wilderness/National Recreation Area Act of 1975 Protected 660,000 acres, including 131,000 acres of wilderness.

Endangered American Wilderness Act of 1978 Protected 285,000 acres in Oregon.

Oregon Forest Wilderness Act of 1984 Protected 900,000 acres, including 828,000 acres of wilderness and the Oregon Cascades Recreation Area.

Oregon State Scenic Waterways Initiative and Oregon Omnibus Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1988 Protected nearly 1,500 miles of rivers.

Protected wild rivers and salmon runs  Prevented the construction of major dams including Elk Creek Dam on the Rogue River system, Salt Caves Dam on the Klamath River, Walker Creek Dam on the Nestucca River system, and Asotin Dam on the Snake River.

Elevated Pacific Northwest salmon issue (1989-2004) Through Endangered Species Act petitions, litigation and passage of the Oregon Riparian Protection Act and litigation.

Boosted Coastal protections (1977-1989)  Including a permanent ban on offshore oil and gas development, beach closures for motorized vehicles, and passage of Oregon Islands Wilderness Act.

Oregon Resources Conservation Act of 1996 Protected Opal Creek Wilderness and Opal Creek Scenic Recreation Area (28,000 acres), added Elkhorn Creek to the Wild and Scenic River system, and designated the Oregon Island Wilderness Additions.

Bull Run Watershed Protection and Little Sandy Watershed Protection Act (1996, 2001)  Increased protection for the clean drinking water source for over one-quarter of all Oregonians.

Klamath Basin Campaign (1994-2004) Increased public awareness about the importance of protecting the Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuges, wetlands, and threatened and endangered fish and wildlife.

*Note: Oregon Wild was known as the Oregon Wilderness Coalition until 1982 and then the Oregon Natural Resources Council until September 2006. Many of these projects involved collaborative efforts by several environmental organizations; however, Oregon Wild spearheaded or coordinated those efforts. In many cases, Oregon Wild played a key role by filing lawsuits that helped spur legislation.