About Wilderness land trust
Wilderness Land Trust: Protecting the Wild Places of the Western United States
Wilderness Land Trust is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to preserving and protecting the wild places of the western United States. The Trust acquires wilderness inholdings - private lands within or adjacent to wilderness areas in the western United States - then transfers ownership to the Bureau of Land Management or the U.S. Forest Service for permanent protection.
The Wilderness Land Trust was founded in 1992 by Jon Mulford, who recognized that there were many privately owned parcels of land within designated wilderness areas that were at risk of development or other forms of exploitation. These parcels, known as "inholdings," could be sold to developers who would build roads, cabins, and other structures that would destroy the natural beauty and ecological integrity of these pristine areas.
To address this problem, Mulford created Wilderness Land Trust as a way to acquire these inholdings and transfer them into public ownership for permanent protection. Since its founding, Wilderness Land Trust has acquired more than 400 parcels totaling over 50,000 acres across nine states.
The work done by Wilderness Land Trust is critical because it helps protect some of America's most beautiful and ecologically important landscapes from development and other forms of exploitation. By acquiring these inholdings and transferring them into public ownership for permanent protection, Wilderness Land Trust ensures that future generations will be able to enjoy these wild places just as we do today.
One example of a successful project undertaken by Wilderness Land Trust is their acquisition and transfer of a parcel known as "The Notch" located within California's John Muir Wilderness Area. This parcel had been owned by a private individual who had planned on building a cabin on it before selling it off for further development. However, thanks to efforts by Wilderness Land Trust, this parcel was acquired and transferred into public ownership where it will remain protected forever.
Another example is their acquisition and transfer of a parcel known as "The Wedge" located within the Bridger-Teton National Forest in Wyoming. This parcel had been owned by a private individual who had planned on building a cabin on it before selling it off for further development. However, thanks to efforts by Wilderness Land Trust, this parcel was acquired and transferred into public ownership where it will remain protected forever.
Wilderness Land Trust's work is made possible through the support of individuals, foundations, and corporations who share their commitment to protecting America's wild places. By making a donation or becoming a member of Wilderness Land Trust, you can help ensure that these beautiful landscapes are protected for generations to come.
In conclusion, Wilderness Land Trust is an organization that is doing important work to protect some of America's most beautiful and ecologically important landscapes from development and other forms of exploitation. Through their acquisition and transfer of wilderness inholdings into public ownership for permanent protection, they are ensuring that future generations will be able to enjoy these wild places just as we do today. If you share their commitment to protecting America's wild places, please consider making a donation or becoming a member of Wilderness Land Trust today.