___________
___________
Big Bend Regional
Sierra Club
NOW IS THE TIME FOR WILDERNESS IN BIG BEND
WRITE REP. CIRO RODRIGUEZ!
You have the opportunity to encourage the designation of 596,215 acres of wilderness within Big Bend National Park! Established in 1944, our beloved 801,163-acre park is the 15th largest in the national park system – yet none of it carries the name of “wilderness”.
“Wilderness” affords the highest level of protection for public lands.
In 1978, President Carter transmitted to Congress the National Park Service (NPS) proposal to designate wilderness within Big Bend. Since then, no Congressional action has been taken in 30 years. The big news is that the 2009 re-study by NPS has identified 596,215.2 acres eligible for wilderness and 13,215.8 acres as potential wilderness – even more than in 1978!
Although the NPS has managed the lands as if they were wilderness, the formal designation as wilderness would cement their protected status. Besides being an economic engine for surrounding rural counties, Big Bend is a refuge for 75 species of mammals, 67 species of reptiles and amphibians, over 450 bird species, and 1,295 plant species.
Click here for more information on what you can do.
Don Dowdey, Chair
Big Bend Regional Sierra Club
La Entrada al Pacifico Letter - Jan. 19, 2009
(click above link to read the letter)
The Big Bend Regional Sierra Club was founded in June 1996 and now has over a hundred members in Alpine, Fort Davis, Marfa, Marathon, Fort Stockton, Presidio, Sanderson and Terlingua. The organization has become a leader working to protect the unique beauty and integrity of our region.
National affiliation with the Sierra Club has proven beneficial in helping us receive grants and practical assistance in organizing. The Lone Star Sierra Club has been particularly helpful since major decisions about air quality and radioactive waste are made by the Texas Legislature .
Meetings are generally held in Alpine at 7:00 on the third Thursday of the month. A monthly newsletter and email list keep us all informed of what is happening relating to the environmental health of the Big Bend and what you can do to help.
We would welcome your support and assistance on our Big Bend Regional Sierra Club projects and activities. We invite you to become a Sierra Club member.
You help support our Club by purchasing Sierra Club Books.
Thank you for your support.
|
| © Brian Cassell 2001 |
Don Dowdey, Chair
Big Bend Regional Sierra Club
50 Sunny Glen
Alpine, TX 79830
915 837-3210
email: ddowdey@wildblue.net