Lands: Mission
The Lands Program works with coalitions of environmental groups in our eight state region to enforce environmental protections and help reform the way our public lands are managed. We work on the frontlines to assist conservationists in their efforts to protect wild lands, native biodiversity, and critical habitats.
On energy issues, we focus on protecting western landscapes from inappropriate oil and gas drilling, oil shale, and tar sands development. Where public lands that are leased for energy development, we focus on enforcing environmental statutes and working with industry and regulators to “do it right.” On recreation issues, we promote quiet recreation compatible with the carrying capacity of the land, and advocate against the harmful impacts of destructive dirt bike and off-road vehicle uses. Our efforts have protected significant tracts of forest, canyon, and high plains ecosystems that provide wildlife habitat, clean air and water, and the opportunity for enjoyment by future generations.
The Lands Program is a founding member of the Southern Rockies Conservation Alliance, a coalition of more than 25 groups working to protect the remaining wildlands of the Southern Rockies of Colorado and Wyoming. WRA also participates in coalition efforts to protect the Yellowstone-to-Yukon corridor and Utah’s Redrock Wilderness and Utah’s five National Forests. WRA effectively advocates for enlightened stewardship of our public lands through all three branches of the federal government; and in 2007 we were instrumental in the passage of the precedent-setting Colorado Habitat Stewardship Act.