The Wildlands Conservancy

...the wonder and joy of nature (photo: David Clendenen)

            The Wildlands Conservancy has a dual mission: To preserve the beauty and biodiversity of the earth and to provide programs so that children may know the wonder and joy of nature. Built into this conservancy’s unique stewardship of their 12 preserves is the fact that the public is invited to experience these epic places at no charge. Going well beyond the vital acquisition and preservation of important landscapes, The Wildlands Conservancy has on its staff full-time rangers, most of whom are biologists. In addition to the oversight of 150,000 acres of diverse mountain, valley, desert, river, and ocean front properties, these women and men also manage the sensitive interplay of natural resources and public access for hiking, picnicking, camping, and other passive recreation, all at no charge to the public. There are, of course, real expenses involved in this level of stewardship.

Sleeping Beauty Valley (photo: Jack Thompson)

            The Wildlands Conservancy was founded in 1995 and was blessed with the backing of a giant of philanthropy who, along with the Conservancy’s founder David Myers, saw the immense importance of saving places of great beauty and biodiversity, and making sure that they are provided to all people to inspire and refresh their spirits and bodies. And in a day and age where more and more children are focused on computer screens large and small, by providing outdoor education programs for youth they understood these places would help instill a connection to a true and open nature that otherwise might be utterly lacking, beyond the lawn-scape one finds in a city park. Beyond the development of the Conservancy’s preserve system, The Wildlands Conservancy funded the largest conservation land gift to the American people in US history—over 500,000 acres—and remains at the forefront of the debate and dialogue on renewable energy.

 

Wind Wolves Preserve (photo: David Clendenen)

           The primary philanthropist who helped create TheWildlands Conservancy has since retired, which has spurred the nonprofit to seek new revenue streams (or rivers). I hope that you, my friends, family, and acquaintances who get a kick out this crazy 24n24 endeavor, will support me by taking some time to learn about The Wildlands Conservancy’s work and then contributing some of your own hard-earned money to support it as it moves forward.