In recognition of Wilderness Society’s work

Terri Robertson, Las Vegas

Saturday, Aug. 29, 2009 | 2:04 a.m.

To truly celebrate the 45th anniversary of the Wilderness Act on Sept. 3, we have to celebrate the environmentalists who founded the Wilderness Society in January 1935. These men and women came together because of their overwhelming love of beautiful, awe-inspiring American lands. They understood that something had to be done to make sure these areas remained pristine.

Without the Wilderness Society, we would not have a Wilderness Act to celebrate. It took 29 years from beginning the process to seeing the bill passed.

The great thing about the Wilderness Society is that it understood that wilderness designation was not the cure-all for our country’s beautiful and sacred places. National parks, natural conservation areas, national recreation areas, national monuments — these are just a few of the other land designations the organization works in support of.

In 1970 a wonderful woman named Mary Kozlowski brought together a group of people from across our valley. The common denominator for all was our great love for Red Rock Canyon. How in the world could this little group of people provide direction and generate legislation to preserve Red Rock?

By 1970 the Wilderness Society had worked on many land issues and, to our surprise, it offered us assistance and training. So many wonderful people in Nevada worked diligently together for Red Rock. The result was a bill that began the never-ending process to enable Red Rock to continue to be the outstandingly beautiful and awe-inspiring place it is today.

This is a long-overdue thank-you letter to the Wilderness Society for its past and current assistance in the preservation of Nevada lands and lands throughout our nation.

The writer is a longtime preservation activist known for her work on the Red Rock and Sloan areas. Current efforts are directed toward a natural conservation area designation for the Gold Butte area.