Kelly Creek in the Great Burn roadless area. FOC file photo.
Dear Friends,
Idaho’s “Big Wild” is a vast ecosystem, rich with old‑growth forests, free‑flowing rivers, wide‑roaming carnivores, and irreplaceable biodiversity. But the Wilderness and roadless areas that make up the Big Wild face enormous pressures orders of magnitude greater than ever before. As climate disruption accelerates, species decline quickens, and industrial demands expand, the fate of this extraordinary landscape depends on bold action being taken now. Friends of the Clearwater has therefore been developing a comprehensive vision and strategy to meet this challenge and conserve the Big Wild, which contains the largest wildlands complex in the lower 48 states.
Through months of focused work, discussion, and reflection, we have designed a strategy that will do more than merely hold the line. Our vision of landscape-scale conservation for the Big Wild is based on principles of rewilding, habitat connectivity, and the preservation of ecological integrity across generations.
In order to fund and publicize our multi-faceted Big Wild campaign, we are inviting people across the region and across the nation to help us expand our network of allies and supporters. Together, we will:
- Partner with other organizations to educate the public about the ongoing real-time extinction of salmon and steelhead,thereby building support and taking actions leading to their recovery;
- Map, monitor, and protect salmon habitat;
- Create a Climate and Biodiversity Preserve priority areas map to guide implementation of our conservation work;
- Begin mapping the region’s Old Growth and mature forests for protection;
- Map monitor, and protect critical wolverine habitat;
- Map, monitor, and protect Carnivore Corridors;
- Collaborate to implement non-lethal conflict prevention tools for grizzly bears and wolves along the connectivity zone between Idaho and Montana, thereby enhancing continued expansion of grizzlies;
- Develop and implement carnivore coexistence actions in the Big Wild;
- Develop a Big Wild grizzly bear monitoring program.
This is more than a conservation effort—it is a movement. A movement to ensure that the Big Wild remains a thriving, interconnected ecosystem comparable in scale, beauty, and ecological power to the landscapes we revere: Yellowstone, Glacier, Yosemite. A movement rooted in love for a place that still pulses with ancient rhythms, and in determination to keep it alive for all who come after us. Please join us by becoming a member, subscribing to our newsletter, following us on social media, joining us at events, or becoming a donor!
Sincerely,
Kyran Kunkel, PhD
Executive Director
Friends of the Clearwater
www.friendsoftheclearwater.org