Guardians of the Wild
10/03/2024 10:41AM ● By Dan Greeson
Try to imagine a Yampa Valley without its sweeping mountain vistas, clear rivers and lakes, and peaceful forests. For Steamboat Springs locals, this thought experiment might result in a panic attack. But prior to the Wilderness Act of 1964, this mountain paradise was anything but a given. As we celebrate 60 years of this legislation, local preservationists reflect on what the act represents.
"When this bill was put in place 60 years ago, it was probably harder to recognize the need for it on a human level,” says Libbie Miller, a terrestrial wildlife biologist with Colorado Parks & Wildlife. "I think there's this need for us, as human beings, to have these wild places, and I think it’s becoming maybe even more important for us. I'm grateful that they had the foresight to put the Wilderness Act in place.”
When it was passed, the Wilderness Act was key to protecting unspoiled landscapes across the U.S. Created by Howard Zahniser of The Wilderness Society, it was the product of eight years of grueling effort, 66 drafts, and countless congressional hearings. Howard's dedication paid off – it protected over 111 million acres of wilderness, keeping areas like Mount Zirkel, Flat Tops, and Sarvis Creek free from human development.
While the Wilderness Act created the conditions to keep these areas safe, wilderness preservation groups like the Steamboat-based Friends of Wilderness work hard to keep them pristine. "Friends of Wilderness began as a small group determined to keep these lands as Howard Zahniser envisioned," says Elaine Dermody, who founded FOW in 2000 alongside her husband, Win. The organization has grown rapidly since, and is now supported by a large network of volunteers. In 2023 alone, FOW removed nearly 1,500 fallen trees on Yampa Valley trails and maintained countless campsites.
FOW also focuses on education, teaching visitors how to value and care for the outdoors. "If we're going to keep the wilderness pristine and make it available to everybody, we have to continue to educate people on how to behave and how to help care for the wilderness," Elaine says. "We, the people, own our wilderness areas."
However, wilderness areas often face overuse issues. "Visitors are attracted to the beauty and peace of the wilderness, but more visitors can mean less peace,” says Laura Foulk, FOW president. “Crowded parking lots are becoming a reality on busy days, but by informing visitors about lesser-known trails, we can disperse the crowds and ensure everyone enjoys the wilderness experience."
The 60th anniversary of the Wilderness Act serves as a reminder not only of the massive accomplishment and protections the act represents, but also that preserving these lands requires ongoing work. "I think we have an incredibly powerful environmental ethic in our community,” Libbie says. “Our agricultural community are tremendously good stewards of their
land. I do think it's something that we should continue to cherish and be proud of, but protect it for the future too." The fight for wilderness preservation is never over, but the untamed landscapes of the Yampa Valley remind us why it’s so worthwhile.
"When this bill was put in place 60 years ago, it was probably harder to recognize the need for it on a human level,” says Libbie Miller, a terrestrial wildlife biologist with Colorado Parks & Wildlife. "I think there's this need for us, as human beings, to have these wild places, and I think it’s becoming maybe even more important for us. I'm grateful that they had the foresight to put the Wilderness Act in place.”
When it was passed, the Wilderness Act was key to protecting unspoiled landscapes across the U.S. Created by Howard Zahniser of The Wilderness Society, it was the product of eight years of grueling effort, 66 drafts, and countless congressional hearings. Howard's dedication paid off – it protected over 111 million acres of wilderness, keeping areas like Mount Zirkel, Flat Tops, and Sarvis Creek free from human development.
While the Wilderness Act created the conditions to keep these areas safe, wilderness preservation groups like the Steamboat-based Friends of Wilderness work hard to keep them pristine. "Friends of Wilderness began as a small group determined to keep these lands as Howard Zahniser envisioned," says Elaine Dermody, who founded FOW in 2000 alongside her husband, Win. The organization has grown rapidly since, and is now supported by a large network of volunteers. In 2023 alone, FOW removed nearly 1,500 fallen trees on Yampa Valley trails and maintained countless campsites.
FOW also focuses on education, teaching visitors how to value and care for the outdoors. "If we're going to keep the wilderness pristine and make it available to everybody, we have to continue to educate people on how to behave and how to help care for the wilderness," Elaine says. "We, the people, own our wilderness areas."
However, wilderness areas often face overuse issues. "Visitors are attracted to the beauty and peace of the wilderness, but more visitors can mean less peace,” says Laura Foulk, FOW president. “Crowded parking lots are becoming a reality on busy days, but by informing visitors about lesser-known trails, we can disperse the crowds and ensure everyone enjoys the wilderness experience."
The 60th anniversary of the Wilderness Act serves as a reminder not only of the massive accomplishment and protections the act represents, but also that preserving these lands requires ongoing work. "I think we have an incredibly powerful environmental ethic in our community,” Libbie says. “Our agricultural community are tremendously good stewards of their
land. I do think it's something that we should continue to cherish and be proud of, but protect it for the future too." The fight for wilderness preservation is never over, but the untamed landscapes of the Yampa Valley remind us why it’s so worthwhile.