A campaign to permanently protect Oregon's most important natural area

UPDATE: 10.15.09 Governor Kulongoski calls on the Obama Administration and Congress to protect Oregon's Yellowstone. His letter requests a reinstatement of a mining withdrawal and increased Wilderness protections. Governor's press release and letter.

The Siskiyou Wild Rivers is Oregon's largest intact wilderness and is home to over 100 plant species found nowhere else in the world. Healthy, abundant salmon runs teem in the blue-green waters of the Illinois, Chetco and Rogue Rivers. This area also includes Oregon's only Redwood forests, growing to a massive 15 feet in diameter. These wildlands function as a lifeboat for wildlife as pressures from climate change and unchecked development mount. Unfortunately this area is threatened by lawless mining and a proposal to allow 115 miles of ATV trails to bisect it.

Solutions and Proposals

Oregon Wild proposes to protect 535,000 acres of Wilderness in Oregon's Yellowstone as well as 450 miles of Wild & Scenic Rivers. In the interim, we are calling for reinstatement of a 2001 Clinton administration mining moratorium that the Bush administration ditched. See interactive map below or pdf here.

Take Action

Call Senator Jeff Merkley (503.326.3386) and encourage him to protect Oregon's Yellowstone, the Siskiyou Wild Rivers Wilderness. (Or send him an e-mail here).

Sign up to receive e-mail updates on Oregon's Yellowstone and efforts to protect other wildlands, wildlife, and waters across the state.

Links

Oregon's Yellowstone and Global Warming
Threats to Oregon's Yellowstone
World Class Biodiversity in Oregon's Yellowstone
Printable Oregon's Yellowstone Fact Sheet

For more info contact Erik at ef@oregonwild.org or 503 253 6343 x202.

 Interactive Map of Oregon's Yellowstone - The Siskiyou Wild Rivers Wilderness proposal (click to jump to larger map)

Dark Green = Protected Wilderness
Light Green = Proposed Wilderness

Photos: Hawk catching fish (Kenneth Haley)