In a recent letter to the editor, Felice Pace argues
that there are no true grassroots campaigns to preserve wilderness
in the Western United States today (HCN, 6/21/04: What grassroots
wilderness movement?). That would come as a surprise to the 900
people who appeared recently at three forums in Oregon to support
new wilderness protections for the Columbia Gorge, Mount Hood, and
other stunning roadless areas in Oregon.
There was
standing-room only at a large public forum held by Congressmen Earl
Blumenauer and Greg Walden at Timberline Lodge on Mount Hood in
June, and nearly 550 people came to show support for new Mount Hood
wilderness protections at forums sponsored by Sen. Ron Wyden.
These wilderness supporters are Oregonians from all walks
of life, motivated not by some foundation-driven cabal, but rather
by the very real threats that our remaining unprotected wild lands
face today. These are people who chose to live, work and raise
families in Oregon because of the wild lands that make our state
such a wonderful place to live. They represent the finest tradition
of grassroots activism.
I doubt many of these activists
would share Mr. Pace’s concerns over the structure of
wilderness campaigns. They are too busy working to preserve
Oregon’s remaining unprotected wild lands and waters.
Regna Merritt
Portland,
Oregon
The writer is executive director of the Oregon Natural Resources Council.
This article appeared in the print edition of the magazine with the headline Grassroots wilderness movement is alive in Oregon.
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