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Hilary Eisen2018-12-01 10:49:372018-12-01 10:59:22December Policy Update: What the New Congress Will Mean for Backcountry SkiersWorking for Solutions and Taking the Long View
Winter Wildlands Alliance is dedicated to preserving winter wildlands and quality human-powered snowsports experiences on public lands. We represent a growing community of backcountry and Nordic skiers, splitboarders, snowshoers, climbers, climate researchers, and other human-paced winter explorers, from Maine to California to Alaska. Our members, and the members of our 39 different grassroots groups in 17 states, deeply value natural winter soundscapes and the opportunity for refuge and respite afforded by the last remaining places across the American West where solitude, fundamental wildness and non-motorized experiences are preserved. From the backcountry to Washington D.C., Winter Wildlands Alliance works with land managers, elected officials, grassroots groups and other partners to pursue a balanced, adaptive and collaborative approach to winter recreation management for the long-term protection of the places where we recreate and seek adventure.
Many National Forests across the country are undertaking forest plan revisions. Forest plans are guiding documents that set general management direction for a national forest for 15-30 years. Participating in forest plan revision is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to shape the long-term future of national forests.
Alaska
California
- Inyo National Forest (Outdoor Alliance, Friends of the Inyo)
- Sierra & Sequoia National Forests (Outdoor Alliance)
Colorado
- Grand Mesa, Uncomphagre, and Gunnison National Forest (Outdoor Alliance, Colorado Mountain Club Backcountry Snowsports Initiative, Silent Tracks)
Montana
- Custer Gallatin National Forest (Montana Wilderness Association, Outdoor Alliance, Montana Backcountry Alliance)
- Helena-Lewis & Clark National Forest (Montana Wilderness Association)
- Flathead National Forest (Montana Wilderness Association, Montana Backcountry Alliance)
Idaho
- Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest (Idaho Conservation League, Montana Wilderness Association, Montana Backcountry Alliance)
- Salmon-Challis National Forest (Idaho Conservation League)
Much of our work directly supports efforts led by our grassroots groups at the local level. We assist by providing policy expertise, organizing tools, and/or amplification of issues and projects they are working on. Here are some examples:
- Mountain Accord/Central Wasatch legislation, UT (Wasatch Backcountry Alliance, Outdoor Alliance)
- Wasatch Powder Birds permit renewal, UT (Wasatch Backcountry Alliance)
- Stemilt Basin winter recreation plan, WA (El Sendero Backcountry Ski and Snowshoe Club)
- Chugach Powder Guides permit renewal (Alaska Quiet Rights Coalition)
- Moose Mountain Backcountry Ski Area, MN (Superior Highlands Backcountry)
- NH/VT glading projects (Granite Backcountry Alliance, Vermont Backcountry Alliance)
- Copper Basin Area Plan, AK (Alaska Quiet Rights Coalition, other local skiers)
- Working on and supporting legislation to protect public lands and improve recreation opportunities and management
- Advocating for permanent reauthorization and funding for the Land & Water Conservation Fund
- Advocating for adequate and sustainable appropriations for land management agencies
- Working for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Outdoors
- Defending the Roadless Rule in Alaska, Utah and beyond
- Working on National Environmental Policy Act reform
- Working on Forest Service Environmental Assessment and Decision Making reform
The human-powered winter sports community, one of the fastest growing segments of the recreation economy, is on the front lines of climate change. Our members—backcountry skiers and snowboarders, Nordic skiers, polar explorers, mountain guides, ice climbers, winter fat bikers, snowshoers and snow scientists—live and work and play in some of the most climate-impacted regions on the planet. Working with land managers, outdoor industry partners, and 39 grassroots groups in 17 states, we advocate for public lands policies that mitigate and respond to a shifting climate, protecting threatened winter ecosystems, accessible non-motorized snowscapes, critical watersheds, healthy forests, and sustainable mountain town economies. We are also committed to climate education and outreach through our national SnowSchool program, engaging more than 33,000 kids annually across 65 outdoor education sites, and our Backcountry Film Festival, which tours 100 communities nationwide and reaches more than 30,000 people each season.
In 2015, in part because of our work, the Forest Service issued new national guidelines for planning how and where winter motorized use can occur on our National Forests. This new rule was a huge step forward for human-powered recreation, because for the first time the Forest Service is required to implement a “zoning” approach to the backcountry, with some trails and areas designated for motorized use and other areas set aside for non-motorized users or wildlife. Please visit our Winter Travel Management page to learn more.
Montana
- Kootenai National Forest – 10 Lakes area (Montana Wilderness Association)
- Bitterroot National Forest (Montana Wilderness Association) – completed May 2016
Wyoming
- Shoshone National Forest (Wyoming Wilderness Association, Togwotee Backcountry Alliance, Beartooth Recreation Trails Association)
Idaho
- Sawtooth National Forest – north zone of the Fairfield Ranger District (Idaho Conservation League)
California
- Lassen National Forest (Snowlands Network, Friends of Plumas Wilderness)
- Tahoe National Forest (Snowlands Network, Tahoe Backcountry Alliance)
- Eldorado National Forest (Snowlands Network)
- Stanislaus National Forest (Snowlands Network)
- Plumas National Forest (Snowlands Network, Friends of Plumas Wilderness)
- Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (Snowlands Network, Tahoe Backcountry Alliance)
- Kathadin Woods and Waters National Monument winter use plan (Granite Backcountry Alliance)
- Lookout Pass/Stephens Peak Backcountry Area (Inland Northwest Backcountry Alliance, Spokane Mountaineers, Montana Backcountry Alliance, Idaho Conservation League)
- Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve Backcountry and Wilderness Management Plan (Alaska Quiet Rights Coalition)
- 21st Century Approaches to Collaboration and Management: Wolverines & Winter Recreation (with Idaho Conservation League, Montana Wilderness Association, Wyoming Wilderness Association, and other conservation partners and snowmobile organizations) — This project is supported by the Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative.
- Working to protect bighorn sheep winter habitat in the Tetons (Teton Backcountry Alliance)
Winter Wildlands Alliance is directly engaged in collaborative land and recreation management planning in all of the places where our staff are located. These include:
- Payette Winter Forum (ID)
- Gallatin Forest Partnership (MT)
- Custer Gallatin Working Group (MT)
- Eastern Sierra Recreation Collaborative (CA)
- Lassen National Forest OSV Stakeholder Group (CA)
- Tahoe National Forest OSV Stakeholder Group (CA)
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Hilary Eisen
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Hilary Eisen2018-12-01 10:49:372018-12-01 10:59:22December Policy Update: What the New Congress Will Mean for Backcountry Skiers
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Melinda Quick2018-11-30 17:14:042018-12-18 11:08:112018 Winter Solstice Member Drive
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Dpage2018-11-15 14:53:482019-02-12 17:56:12Comment Now on Plumas National Forest's Draft Winter Travel Plan
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Hilary Eisen2018-10-31 12:01:222018-10-31 12:08:30October Policy UpdateWinter Wildlands Alliance is a national nonprofit organization promoting and
preserving winter wildlands and a quality human-powered snowsports
experience on public lands.
