Omnibus Public Lands Management Act of 2009

On March 30th, President Obama signed the Omnibus Public Lands Management Act of 2009, which will protect two million acres of wilderness across nine states including California, Idaho, Michigan, West Virginia, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Oregon and Utah. 

New York Times journalist Mireya Navarro reports that "aside from protecting wilderness, supporters of the bill said it would yield economic benefits because those areas would attract more recreational users for pursuits like hiking, camping and fishing and hunting," which is great news for those of us waiting to get outside again after the winter cold subsides. Read the entire article here or check out another article by the Environment News Service about the historic bill here.

This is a great chance for Americans to reclaim their public lands and protect them for the next generation. No matter where you fall on the political spectrum, I urge you to support environmentally responsible policies and legislation. Most importantly, show that you care about our lands by following the 7 Principles of Leave No Trace the next time that you get to play in parks and open spaces. It's a simple way to care for the lands we love every day!