THE NEWSLETTER OF THE GREAT OLD BROADS FOR WILDERNESS way. Fornearlyanhoura writer JudyTaylor leadingthe with localsingerandsong- Broads joinedherforthe and stru Bayou. Whileshestrummed overtones oftheLouisiana western tunestingedwith out andcroonedanarrayof dinner, Judyalternatelybelted got o Our Spring2010Broadwalk Grove. to matchthescenery—Oak in aplacewithperfectname northern SanDiegoCounty, camped inthechaparralof a began gatheringonThursday the DistrictofColumbia a dozenwestern statesand Great OldBroadsfromhalf May 20-24,2010 San DiegoCountyBroadwalk A personalaccountoftheNorth by CH North SanDiegoCounty Broadwalkers. BROADSIDESft ernoon, May20th.We A nn ff toafoot-stompin’ start, R tt ed on-stage,we A o n al P d ALONG THE A RR ft er Photo byElizabethHagen A spinning, and -rope twirling,thenpistol has othertalents- turned thatJudy done yet! It But shewasn’t energy. Great OldBroad was sizzlingwith Community Hall singing, thelocal Judy By thetime twang ortwo. sweetheart a cowboy even yodeled choruses and We gotbusyonFriday, when ahead. three-plus Broadwalk days we were totallyreadyforthe tricks. Firedupbyherenergy, Judy performedherskillful snapped aroundus,while cracking. Theairsizzledand L fi nished T (continued onpage6) R fi nally whip A tain hike. the Broadwalk Beauty Moun- Ann RonaldandJimCaseon IL Photo byVicki Hoover. S

Director Meet theNewHLP on FeralHorses BLM SeeksComment Action Broadbands in Broader Wilderness Study ABroad Broads Beat Broads onBoard In aBroadSense In thisissue: VOLUME 20NO2 JUL-SEPT 2010 12 4

10 3 14 15 2 8 A MESSAGE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR RONNI EGAN

The Telluride Mountainfi lm chicks whose stomachs Festival, held every Memorial are packed with plastic Day weekend for the past bott le caps, disposable 32 years, brings together lighters, toothbrushes, and Great Old Broads for Wilderness fi lmmakers, writers, artists, and unidentifi able bits of plastic PO Box 2924 thinkers from around the world fed to them by their parents, Durango, CO 81302 with an audience of everyone who gathered them off of 970-385-9577 from climbing bums to blue- the sea’s surface, having [email protected] haired philanthropists. I have mistaken them for food. www.greatoldbroads.org had the privilege of att ending Mr. Jordan was literally in it for the past two years, and tears as he described his two Staff Veronica Egan, Executive Director this year I was weeks of photographing Rose Chilcoat, Associate Director profoundly hundreds of the dead birds, Gary Skiba, HLP Director moved by knowing there was utt erly Joyce Thomsen, Membership Maven what I saw, IN A nothing he could do about Logan Morley, HLP Tech. Coord. Anne Benson, Comm. Coord. heard, and felt. the situation. The trash in Amy Johnston, Grant Writer this gyre (there are 6 such The topic of gyres in the world at present) Board of Directors the Friday BROAD comes from the insatiable Karen Cox, California - Vice-Chair Symposium hunger for the cheap, the Sally Ferguson, Idaho was “The Libby Ingalls, California SENSE disposable, the MORE Saralaine Millet, Arizona Sixth Great STUFF that humanity Karen Ryman, Colorado Extinction,” craves. His work can be Amy Shima, Utah which is occurring now. seen at Donna Smith, Washington DC - Sec. The following three Action Films Lois Snedden, Nevada - Chair days of fi lms and events htt p://www.chrisjordan. Advisory Board really brought home the (to nudge us com/current_set2. Steve Allen, Joe Breddan, Katie message that the planet is php?id=11 Fite, Dave Foreman, Maggie Fox, in big trouble and that it Steve Gilbert, Fred Goodsell, into action) (In a related video Ginger Harmon, Margi Hoff mann, will take a fundamental Vicky Hoover, Fran Hunt, shift in human thinking worth watching, Capt. Cecelia Hurwich, Dale Johnson, and behavior if we don’t want to see life Charles Moore discusses the impact our Frandee Johnson, Linda Liscom, as we know it, and I mean all life, not just trash is having on sea life in the Pacifi c. Chuck McAfee, MB McAfee, htt p://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/capt_ Liz McCoy, Sarah Michael, Erin ours, to be radically changed by the end of Moore, Marcey Olajos, Tim this century. Hence, this Broad Sense is in charles_moore_on_the_seas_of_plastic. Peterson, Lynn Prebble, Marilyn some ways a movie review. You will need html) Price-Reinbolt, Cindy Shogan, to watch closely for showings of the fi lms Liz Thomas, Susan Tixier, Joro “Bag It!” is a fi lm by Telluride fi lmmaker Walker, Melyssa Watson (PBS and art theaters) or look for them on Susan Beraza about our throwaway line. But please, do look for them, because Great Old Broads for Wilderness is society, with a clear message of “reduce, all who saw them in Telluride felt that they a national, non-profi t organization reuse and recycle.” Although this fi lm is that uses the voices and activism ought to be required viewing for everyone thoroughly entertaining and engaging, of elders to preserve and protect in schools, city halls, Congress, and wilderness and wild lands. it tells the sad truth that while recycling elsewhere. Mainstream media should make Conceived by older women who plastic might make us feel good, it love wilderness, Broads gives them top stories. is costly and accounts for only a tiny voice to the millions of older (and not so able) Americans who want The most moving presentation was by Chris fraction of the plastic that is produced to protect their public lands as Jordan, an artist and photographer who worldwide. Recyling alone cannot stem Wilderness for this and future the tide of material that is poisoning our generations. We bring voice, photographed Laysan Albatross chicks on knowledge, commitment, and Midway Island, which is near the North oceans. That’s right, as plastics degrade, humor to the movement to protect Pacifi c Gyre. This vast circular ocean current the tiny particles become sponges for our last wild places on earth. now contains an estimated 600 million tons toxins in the water and are consumed Today, the Great Old Broads for by creatures that would normally eat Wilderness has more than 4,500 of plastic trash that is causing environmental members. You do not have to be havoc in that part of the Pacifi c. plankton, thus working their way up female, or old, or even great for that the food chain, and concentrating in the matter! to join—but you must be “bold” for wilderness. Please join us Perhaps some of you have seen the bodies of the things we like to eat, such on the adventure. Wilderness needs photos of partially decomposed albatross your help! (continued on page 11) Please credit Broads for any reprinted articles. 2 SUMMER 2010 WWW.GREATOLDBROADS.ORG BROA D S ON BOA RD A KAREN RYMAN FAVORITE QUOTE: We enlisted two new Directors this year bringing our Broads Board to eight and adding two new home states to the list. Amy Shima joins us from Rockville, Utah and Karen Ryman weighs in from Aspen, Colorado. Both found Broads through interaction with “original” Broads. And both women have their sites set on broadcasting Broads word to a broader audi- NOW I SEE THE ence and “activating” that audience to advocate for wilderness and wild lands. SECRET OF THE Amy Karen Amy Shima has been Karen Ryman fell in MAKING OF THE interested in and cared love with the great about wild animals outdoors as a girl in BEST PERSONS. IT and wild places for California where she as long as she can went on many Girl IS TO GROW IN remember. She grew Scout camping trips up in Oak Park, Il- in the San Bernardino THE OPEN AIR AND linois - home of Ernest Mountains. But her Hemingway and Frank appreciation for the TO EAT AND SLEEP Lloyd Wright – and fell environments in in love with the desert which she hiked and WITH THE EARTH. southwest during her camped was awak- Amy Shima fi rst trip to Canyonlands and Arches ened and cultivated NP in the late 1970s. when she moved to - WALT WHITMAN, Aspen, Colorado, and ONG OF THE PEN OAD For most of Amy’s professional career, she has prac- later by Great Old S O R ticed wildlife/zoo medicine. As a staff member of the Broads for Wilderness San Diego Zoo, she was involved with the California founder Dott ie Fox. “We hiked and camped together Condor Recovery program as well as a number of oth- and she’d talk about the land around her and her ex- er endangered species programs. She has also fi lled periences with people she’d meet.” in for others as a temporary veterinarian at a number of zoos in the US and Australia. “I have always felt Karen hopes to give that it is a great privilege to be able to work with wild others the type of ex- animals, whether they are in the wild (where we wish perience she had with they could live but may not be able to safely due to the Dott ie. “I’d like to see pressures created by too many people) or in captivity that we communicate where their presence can serve to educate and en- more with those who lighten people who now live far removed the natural use the land – help world.” them understand the value of the land that Amy found Great Old Broads for Wilderness at a they are using.” SUWA Roundup in southern Utah. “I didn’t know anyone and was a bit apprehensive,” she said. “But As a volunteer Ranger then a very energetic, smiling lady (Ginger Harmon) with the Forest Con- wandered over to my campsite and started talk- servancy at Maroon ing with me.” Ginger encouraged her to join Great Karen Ryman Bells Scenic Area and Old Broads for Wilderness and of course, she joined. as a trail monitor in “Great Old Broads has been a part of my life ever White River National Forest, she has the opportunity since.” to meet the people who use public lands. She is also a volunteer with the Wilderness Workshop - a group Working with the Board of Directors (and as the newly that is advocating for the protection of 363,000 acres of minted leader of the Virgin Broadband - named for the wild land in the Hidden Gems of Colorado. Virgin River, which runs through southwestern Utah), Amy hopes to bring “Broadness” to more people. She “A Broad spirit is the ultimate goal,” she said. “And we wants to “encourage and empower people to get out, need to pass that on to the next generation so the pas- enjoy and do something with other Great Old Broads to sion doesn’t stop.” help ‘Mother’ Nature.” WWW.GREATOLDBROADS.ORG SUMMER 2010 3 Groups help Utah Sen. Bob Bennett Broads Associate Director, Rose Chil- Court rejects Rock Creek Mine in north- develop San Juan County Land Use Bill coat, is actively participating in this pro- west Montana cess. She has presented at all meetings Hoping to replicate the Washington advocating for the strongest protective In a major vic- County land use bill that passed in 2009, measures on these unsurpassed wild tory for bull Utah’s Senator Bob Bennett initiated an public lands and consistently pushing trout, grizzly information gathering process this spring back against San Juan County’s stated bears and the to begin the process of developing a San priority of ensuring “access so the el- people of north- Juan County comprehensive land use bill derly and disabled can get to their public west Montana, a that would consider ecological, cultural, lands.” Advocating for inclusion of graz- federal judge re- social and economic values for preserva- ing permit buyout language in the bill jected the U.S. Forest Service’s approval tion under various land use designations has been a strong focus of Broads and of a massive industrial mining operation (including wilderness). While passage several area ranchers have communi- on the edge of the Cabinet Mountains of America’s Red Rock Wilderness Act is cated to us, and Senator Bennett’s staff , Wilderness Area. the gold standard for statewide wilder- their desire to “retire” from public lands ness protection on BLM lands in Utah, ranching. In March, the court ruled that the Forest the conservation community is cautiously Service violated the National Environ- optimistic that some valuable permanent mental Policy Act and the Forest Service protections could be obtained for the Organic Act in approving the Rock Creek landscapes and cultural resources in San Mine, which would have bored under Juan County through this bill. the Cabinet Mountain Wilderness in the Broads’ Beat Updates on issues that have seen Broad action

In response, staff Next steps in midst of popular recreational areas and from more than 30 the process are key habitat for bull trout, grizzly bears local, regional, and uncertain as and other sensitive wildlife species. national organiza- Senator Ben- tions, agencies, nett failed to The case marks the third time that and businesses make it out of lawsuits by members of the public have have made ex- the Republican succeeded in invalidating federal agency traordinary eff orts convention and approvals for the Rock Creek Mine on very short will not be up project. notice to travel for re-election. to Monticello, However, his “This third strike against this mine UT for six days of staff tells us he should end the game,” said Jim Costello meetings to share is still commit- of the Rock Creek Alliance, one of the our ideas, values ted to putting groups involved in the lawsuits. “We’ve and priorities for together draft said all along that this mine simply can- this bill. Notably language for not be built without contaminating the region’s waters and pushing the Cabi- absent from the Evidence of illegal road construction on Lime Ridge in a San Juan meetings were oil San Juan County, Utah. County bill and net’s fragile bull trout and grizzly bear & gas and mineral that others population in Rock Creek to extinction. interests. Also of concern is that San in the Utah delegation are committed It’s time for the government to stop this Juan County did not weigh in with any to carrying the bill forward. Field trips merry-go-round and start working to specifi cs regarding support or opposi- to look at areas of confl ict were to be protect our region’s waters, trout and tion of any of the various proposed scheduled this summer. We await the bears.” designations thus making it diffi cult to Senator’s direction. consider how to resolve diff erences. The proposed mining operation would have removed 10,000 tons per day of

4 SUMMER 2010 WWW.GREATOLDBROADS.ORG copper and silver ore from under the Cab- The current grazing fee does not recover inet Mountains Wilderness seven days a even the administrative costs of operat- week for 35 years. The resulting loss of ing the program, leaving U.S. taxpayers more than 7,000 acres of habitat would to pay the diff erence. The fee also falls be devastating to the few grizzly bears short of paying for the environmental that survive in the Cabinet Mountains. problems this land use causes, and instead enables high levels of livestock The mine also would have dumped up to grazing that harm ecosystems, degrade three million gallons of waste water each watersheds, and cause species decline. day into the Clark Fork River and threat- ened to destroy the bull trout population The U.S. Government Accountability in Rock Creek, a tributary of the Clark Fork. Offi ce found that the Bureau and Forest Service grazing fee decreased by 40 The groups that challenged the mine are percent from 1980 to 2004, while graz- Rock Creek Alliance, Cabinet Resource ing fees charged by private ranchers Group, Clark Fork Coalition, Earthworks, increased by 78 percent for the same Broads ventured into the wilds of Idaho to protest the landing of helicopters to dart and Sierra Club, Trout Unlimited, Idaho period. In 2010, the government charges collar wolves in the Frank Church – River of No Council of Trout Unlimited, Pacifi c Rivers just $1.35 per month to graze one cow Return Wilderness. Unfortunately, District Judge Council, Alliance for the Wild Rockies, and calf on public lands administered by Lynn B. Winmill decided to allow the project to Natural Resources Defense Council, the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of continue. His ruling contained a stern warning to the Forest Service, stating that it would be Montana Wilderness Association, and Land Management, which is the low- highly unlikely he’d permit such landings in the Great Old Broads for Wilderness. The est possible rate under the current fee wilderness in the future. groups were represented by lawyers formula. from EarthJustice and the Western Min- ing Action Project. Congressman Polis holds meetings on The proposal identifi es 379,000 acres Hidden Gems Wilderness proposal in Eagle, Summit, Pitkin, and Gunnison Lawsuit targets harmful public-lands counties as in need of protection. livestock subsidy U.S. Representative Jared Polis, Colo., hosted three public forums around the Go to www.polis.house.gov/wilderness In early June, Great Old Broads for Wilder- state on the Hidden Gems Wilderness to view maps of the Hidden Gems pro- ness joined with the Center for Biological Proposal. Proponents of the designation posal and submit comments. Diversity, Western Watersheds Project, came out in full force to off er comment WildEarth Guardians, and Oregon Natural on the wilderness proposal that was Broads held a Broadwalk in the Hidden Desert Association in a suit against the submitted to him by a coalition of en- Gems with Wilderness Workshop in 2009. Departments of Interior and Agriculture vironmental to compel them to respond to a 2005 rule- organizations making petition that seeks to increase the headed by fee for livestock grazing across 258 million Wilderness acres of federal public land. Workshop.

“The federal grazing program is as fi s- Polis is con- cally irresponsible as it is ecologically sidering the harmful,” said Taylor McKinnon, public introduction lands campaigns director for the Center of a bill to get for Biological Diversity. “In responding more land to our petition, the government must in western now choose between correcting and Colorado continuing the subsidized destruction of designated as America’s public land.” Wilderness.

Broadwalking the Hidden Gems in 2009.

“Whether retired by choice or by force, millions of smart and hard-working citizens retain the public-spiritedness and idealism of the 1960s. Create out- lets for us to do good work, and we will sign up by the thousands.” - Stephen Trimble, in his essay “We need a new Civilian Conservation Corps”

WWW.GREATOLDBROADS.ORG SUMMER 2010 5 Broadwalking on Beauty Mountain and Agua Tibia

Continued from page 1

Ken Coburn from the Palomar Ranger District of the Cleveland National Forest put us to work. We car-pooled to the nearby Dripping Springs campground, which was closed until the fi rst of June due to the endangered Arroyo toad’s breeding season. There, we split into three groups—the big rock movers, the berm builders, and the bushwhackers.

The fi rst group of Broads constructed a stream crossing by levering a series of bushel-size boulders into a creek. The second group used Pulaskis, shovels, and hoes to move dirt, building berms and water channels across the trail leading into the mountains. Meanwhile, the third group hiked further uphill while lopping away overgrown bushes and branches. Broads with Beauty Mountain in the background. Photo by Vicki Hoover By aft ernoon, you could see our many accomplishments, though Saturday morning brought applause Aft er Geoff rey fi nished his there remained much more trail for the chefs—Michelle and presentation, Vicki Hoover chaired rejuvenation to be done. Heavy Paul—who whipped up a delicious a meeting of the Sierra Club’s winter and spring rains had done a lot asparagus fritt ata. Every one of their regional Wilderness Committ ee, of damage. So even though we were meals was terrifi c, but that meal was under the auspices of the CNRCC only scheduled for one day’s work, we especially superb. We ate every bite. (the California/Nevada Regional could easily have done more. Conservation Committ ee). They met Aft er breakfast, Geoff rey Smith, with Later that aft ernoon, Steve Evans, of for the remainder of the day, while the the aid of his wife Camille Armstrong, Friends of the River, spoke to us about Great Old Broads for Wilderness went diagrammed a wish list of San Diego wild and scenic rivers projects in trekking. the area, outlining how the rivers A few wandered off to Julian and themselves provide corridors The fi rst group of Broads some drove to Mount Palomar and and necessary connections. That constructed a stream crossing hiked in the Agua Tibia Wilderness. night, Joan Friedlander, Palomar My group of six decided to follow District Ranger, talked of the many by levering a series of bushel- on the Pacifi c Crest Trail. Sunny, problems confronting the land in size boulders into a creek. warm, we were surrounded by southern California. Fire—the an array of fl owers everywhere. most headline catching—is the County wilderness areas. He pointed There’s something to be said for worst, but other diffi culties involve toward those areas earlier preserved seasons of heavy rain. Even though interlopers like the golden borer, through the eff orts of Congresswoman this year’s California weather did which is att acking the oaks, illegal Mary Bono-Mack, and acknowledged damage to the local trails, those rains immigrants, drug traffi ckers, and the current eff orts of Congressman nursed an abundance of color. I lost marij uana growers. Darrell Issa to add 7,796 acres to count of the variety and quantity, but Some of us went to bed aft er Joan’s the Agua Tibia Wilderness and I think Carolyn Perry counted more presentation, but other Broads still 13,365 acres to the Beauty Mountain than 50 diff erent wildfl owers on our simmered with the fi rst night’s Wilderness. He also spoke of potential walk and made a list of what we saw. energy. Blue Feather—aka Sandra wilderness areas in the rugged Barker The day was picture-perfect, to be Hardenbrook—regaled the group with Valley and along the San Luis Rey sure. stories. I understand I missed a lot of wild and scenic river. great camaraderie! (continued on page 7) 6 SUMMER 2010 WWW.GREATOLDBROADS.ORG More Broadwalking BE AN AGELESS ADVOCATE Continued from page 6 FOR BEAUTY MOUNTAIN Highwire made the day even bett er, Aft er dinner, we learned AND AGUA TIBIA with more home-grown music for our about a part of San Diego dinner hour. That night, we learned County we hadn’t yet You can be part of Broads advocacy about what we’d been seeing and seen. Kathy Dice, Anza- for the Beauty Mountain and Agua about how it might be preserved Borrego Desert State for our grandchildren. Rick Halsey, Park Superintendent, Tibia Act of 2009! It’s easy as 1-2-3. President of the California Chaparral showed slides and spoke Institute and author of Fire, Chaparral, enthusiastically about the Identify your representative in and Survival in Southern California, terrain just to the east (and 1Congress and get her or his e-mail used a sandwich analogy to explain at sea level, and warmer). address, district offi ce address, or how crucial the local ecosystem is DC address. (www.usa.gov/Contact/ in providing a layer between the Karen Ryman, Lois Snedden, ostensibly more glamorous mountains and I were so struck by her Elected.shtml for contact information and the desert. Both witt y and words and her photos that for your federal and state representa- astute, he showed us how to look we went there as soon as tives) at this particular landscape in more the Broadwalk ended on sophisticated ways. I venture to say Monday. We hunted for petroglyphs and pictographs, Write and send a short personal that all of us learned how to bett er note requesting that your repre- appreciate its beauty. slid through a narrow slot 2 canyon, and thoroughly sentative become a Cosponsor of Which leads us to Beauty Mountain, enjoyed the post-Broadwalk H.R. 4309. (These days, e-mail has Sunday’s centerpiece. Geoff rey Smith sunshine. (In truth, Oak the best chance of reaching its des- diagrammed the scenery in even more Grove’s temperature seemed tination in a timely manner.) In your detail, and reiterated his preservation to be dropping about ten wish list. He urged all Broads to degrees every day and note, explain why the completion of get involved in the Beauty Mountain night we camped there. these wilderness quality areas whose preservation eff ort (see the sidebar to By the time we left , it was Riverside County portions were al- take action). downright chilly!) ready dedicated as wilderness in the A couple of dozen San Diego Sierra Club But we broke camp with Omnibus bill of 2009 are important members also joined us that morning, as just as much enthusiasm for to you as a Great Old Broad -- hik- we disbursed on four separate hikes. All the local landscape as we ing, backpacking, hunting. Let the four started from the same spot, along a generated on Thursday with member know that you or your Broad dirt road in the midst of chaparral. Judy Taylor’s music. Ronni friends have recently hiked the area Egan and Rose Chilcoat, as and found its wildfl owers, trails, and My particular group, led by Vicki always, outdid themselves Hoover and Anne Fege, headed in putt ing the San Diego beauty worthy of wilderness designa- for an abandoned mine on Beauty County Broad experience tion. Mountain’s slopes. To those of us together (with great advice accustomed to mountains and deserts, and connections from local About two weeks later, call the the vistas were quite a surprise. Pam Nelson). representative’s offi ce and ask for Long views toward the surrounding 3 mountains—yes, they were covered The ensemble, from start to the environmental staff member; ask with fresh snow that morning, and fi nish, was one of the best if the member has now become a co- unlike the previous day, we were quite Broadwalks ever. And best sponsor and let him/her know you will bundled up—fi lled the distances. of all, we learned ways we be checking on the website or calling Short views, with multiple shades of can help out. Go to the back. Leave a message. Keep calling. lime and moss and teal green plus Californiawild.org web site countless spring fl owers, lined the htt p://www.californiawild. roads and trails of this transition org/take-action to learn more. And gather your hiking group, mah zone. Although the weather was jong group, neighbors, family, anyone unseasonably windy and cold, we Thanks to the JiJi Foundation you know anywhere in the 435 avail- thoroughly enjoyed the day. for providing funding for able Congressional districts and ask the North San Diego County Broadwalk. them to do them same.

WWW.GREATOLDBROADS.ORG SUMMER 2010 7 Study A Broad: Walking the Wilds of Life

grassroots organizing with her work as a staff scientist for the Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides (Eugene, OR) for eight years and for “You taught me that if I want to get Hells Canyon Preservation somewhere, I can always walk.” At the Council (eastern OR and age of 13, Mary O’Brien’s youngest son western ID). Since 2003, she made that proclamation aft er walking has been the Utah Forests from Santa Barbara to Los Angeles Program Manager for to rejoin his family aft er running Grand Canyon Trust where away. Her older son walked from she helps organize and Mexico to Canada through the Sierra co-coordinate the Three Nevadas during a winter of record Forests Coalition (3FC) snow. Mary’s fi rst backpack trip was – a project that advocates a 30-day journey on the John Muir for bett er care for native Trail from Yosemite Valley to Whitney wildlife, vegetation, and in 1969. Thirty days! Her fi rst trip! ecosystems on southern She asked her husband to carry her Utah’s three national pack to the trailhead so she wouldn’t forests: the Dixie, Fishlake, know exactly what she was gett ing and Manti-La Sal. herself into beforehand. She has been One particularly satisfying on many, many others since then and project that will continue counts “walking” as her number one to bear fruit for many years passion. Happily assessing beaver habitat. is the Coalition’s eff orts The passion that takes a close second, to restore beavers to the disputes related to catt le grazing Mary said, is public lands. It’s easy forests of southern Utah. Because allotments on the Tushar Range in to see the connection. Our public of 3FC’s eff orts, Utah now has its the Fishlake National Forest. “Mary’s lands off er walkers an incredible fi rst beaver management plan. The tenacity and commitment to the diversity of ecosystems, wildlife, and coalition will be assessing all streams health of the land are unparalleled unforgett able views. And, for Mary, in these forests for suitable habitat. and provide the environmental it’s not just the personal experiences “We don’t want to place beaver where backbone for the collaboration,” found on public lands. She embraces elk and catt le are eating the willows said Broads Associate Director Rose the political process that’s required and cott onwoods down to nubs. Chilcoat. to obtain and manage public lands. Beaver are prett y clever when it comes “From city parks to big wilderness,” to dam building,” she said. “They’ve Mary’s fi rst face-to-face experience she says, “it’s a democratic process by even been known to use old tires in with Broads was in 1999 when she which the public can take care of the the structures. But they do need to att ended the Chix in the Stix Women commons.” eat – especially willow, cott onwood, and Wilderness Gathering in Tucson, and aspen to store underwater during Ariz. “I don’t remember how I heard She has dedicated her life work winter.” about Broads but my fi rst sustained to public lands – working as a memory of the group was at that staff scientist for toxics reform, Great Old Broads for Wilderness event.” environmental law, and public lands is a member of the Three Forests conservation organizations for 29 Coalition and has worked with Mary “You have to love an organization years. With a doctorate in botany, she for the past 6 years on wilderness and named Great Old Broads for has always worked in environmental grazing issues – the latest of which Wilderness,” she said. “The impact law. She discovered a love for was a collaborative process to resolve of that name can’t be overstated.

8 SUMMER 2010 WWW.GREATOLDBROADS.ORG “Nothing beats getting out on foot.” with Mary O’Brien

Humor, adventure, feistiness, and age Utah, where they built a straw-bale And we know how she loves to walk. all in one title. I have a great aff ection home, but O’B still teaches a half year ‘It’s how I see other species and what’s for the Broads.” at the University of Oregon. They fell around me,” she said. “It’s a pace at in love when Mary was 16 and “now which you can absorb the world. Even Mary currently volunteers for a I’m 64 and still think he’s perfect,” river trips are too fast for me. The number of organizations – editing she said. “He really knows how to world just goes by too fast. Nothing and reviewing documents and going get a hiking partner,” she added. “He beats gett ing out on foot.” out on local work parties. She and her always walks behind me because I’m husband, O’B, live in Castle Valley, slower.” - Anne Benson

Broadwalkers Visit Highpoint Lookout Tower by Karen Ryman series of major fi res has led offi cials in California to return to basics of Volunteers in the Highpoint detecting early smoke before the Lookout Tower on the summit fi re gets out of hand. of Palomar Mt. can see on a clear day all the way to Mexico and Highpoint Tower sits at an the Pacifi c Ocean. Following a elevation of 6,142 ft . It has played a hike on the Cutca Trail during role in fi re prevention for 75 years. our Broadwalk to the “chaparral The original structure was built country” of Southern California, in 1935, the one still standing was a group of Broads drove further erected in 1964. Due to budget cuts, along the ridge road looking down it was closed in 1992. In spring on the proposed addition to the of 2008, the FFLA took interest Agua Tibia Wilderness. What a in restoring it. They worked out revelation when we came upon an agreement with the Cleveland a fi re tower located just 2 miles National Forest to use volunteers from the well known Palomar who are trained to monitor in the Observatory. tower. Like a giant tree house, the lookout is perched on top of Aft er a short hike up to the bott om a metal tower that rises 67 feet of the tower, we were greeted by above a rocky, brushy point.A a volunteer member of the Forest victim of vandalism, the interior Fire Lookout Association, (ffl a. was gutt ed, then returned to its they feel like they are making a org) who came down to talk with original fi nishes, right down to the diff erence, providing a service, and us and explain their work on this seafoam green paint and Formica giving themselves some relaxation historic tower in the Cleveland countertops and fl ooring. With and quiet time. Their next goal is National Forest. At one time 8,000 the return of the lookout’s original to put back into commission two of these towers existed in our Osborne fi re-fi nder, a circular other lookouts in the area. national forests. But due to budget instrument that incorporates a map cuts and new technology, they were of surrounding area, spott ers can What fun on our Broadwalk, to abandoned in the 70s and 80s. Not pinpoint the location of fi res. meet volunteer “bros” from the all that technology has lived up Forest Fire Lookout Association, up to expectations say the experts, The volunteers call this “camping there making a diff erence also! and people in lookouts searching with a million-dollar view.” Aft er for smoke remain reliable. Also, a the massive 2007 fi res in the area,

WWW.GREATOLDBROADS.ORG SUMMER 2010 9 ID – New wilderness proposed UT – Utah watershed is target AK - Delegation seeks to block for central Idaho of wilderness legislation new ANWR wilderness

The Central Idaho Economic In April, Rep. Jim Matheson (D-UT) Wilderness designation in The Arctic Development and Recreation Act (S. introduced the Wasatch Wilderness National Wildlife Refuge could be 3294/H.R. 5205, also referred to as and Watershed Protection Act (H.R. threatened by AK’s congressional CIEDRA) introduced this spring will 5009) to protect more than 26,000 acres delegation which wants to open the create three new wilderness areas in of national forest land in the central Arctic coastal plain to oil and gas the Sawtooth and Challis National Wasatch Mountains just outside of Salt drilling. Forests and the Challis District of Lake City. the Bureau of Land Management In a lett er to Interior Secretary Ken — Hemingway-Boulders Wilderness, The bill will protect the watershed Salazar, Alaska Sens. Lisa Murkowski White Clouds Wilderness and Jerry that provides water for more than 60 (R), Mark Begich (D) and Rep. Don Peak wilderness in the Boulder- percent of the Salt Lake City Region, Young (R) said a review of White Clouds Mountains. This bill designating 15,000 acres of potential wilderness would also “release” 131,616 acres wilderness in the Arctic Refuge of wilderness study areas from by the Interior their interim Department protections was a waste of and would resources because Congressionally the authority designate a to fi nalize motorized trail designations (Germania Creek) THE BROADER belongs to bisecting two of the Congress. wilderness areas. Instead of the new Boulder-White WILDERNESS wilderness Clouds is the largest analysis, unprotected wild Interior roadless area in the should use national forests of its resources the lower 48 states. to conduct Its broad range of studies of the elevations and habitats refuge’s oil and gas resources, the lends to the area’s and 11,000 delegation said. enormous biological and acres of special management geographical diversity. area. Learn more and take action at “The ANWR coastal plain likely Since the land is uninterrupted htt p://saveourcanyons.org/campaigns/ contains the continent’s largest by roads, Boulder-White Clouds wasatch_wilderness_campaign onshore deposit of hydrocarbons and, is a popular hunting and fi shing given advancements in technology, it destination, with spawning salmon MI – Bill would protect 32,500 is possible to access those resources and big game such as elk, moose, acres on Lake Michigan shore without any signifi cant impact to the mountain goat, bighorn sheep, black wildlife frequenting the coastal plain,” bear, and cougar. On February 2, 2010 Representative the delegation wrote. (Yeah, right! Just Hoekstra (R-MI) introduced the ask the folks on the Gulf Coast about The bill that will permanently protect Sleeping Bear Dunes National this.) over 330,000 acres of wilderness in Lakeshore Conservation and central Idaho was introduced in the Recreation Act (S. 2976/H.R. 4558) The review for new wilderness Senate by Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID) to protect more than 32,500 acres designations would come as and Sen. Jim Risch (R-ID) and in the of wilderness in the Sleeping Bear part of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife House Rep. Mike Simpson (R-ID) and Dunes National Lakeshore. This area Service’s revision of the refuge’s Rep. Walt Minnick (D-ID). Broads is on the mainland shore of Lake Comprehensive Conservation Plan, has pushed for improvements to Michigan and is popular with hunters, which was last updated in 1988. The this proposal for years. The current anglers, hikers and boaters. Senators 1997 National Wildlife Refuge System iteration is much improved but still Carl Levin (D-MI) and Debbie Improvement Act requires refuges to falls short of full protection. Ann Stabenow (D-MI) introduced update their plans every 15 years. companion legislation in the Senate. Learn more/take action at htt p://www. alaskawild.org/

10 SUMMER 2010 WWW.GREATOLDBROADS.ORG PA - Wilderness coalition Currently two areas on the Allegheny TN - Bill would add 20,000 acres forms National Forest are permanently to Tennessee wilderness protected as wilderness the Hickory Six conservation organizations have Creek Wilderness with about 8,600 U.S. Senators Lamar Alexandar joined to advocate for wilderness acres, and the Allegheny Islands and Bob Corker, both Tennessee designation on PA’s only National Wilderness, totaling just under 400 Republicans, introduced a bill June 9 Forest located in the northwest corner acres. They represent a litt le less than to designate an additional 20,000 acres of the state - the Allegheny National 2 percent of 513,000-acre ANF. in six areas of the Cherokee National Forest. Adam Hostetler of Lebanon, Forest as protected wilderness. vice president of the Pennsylvania “Clearly there is a shortage of The Tennessee Wilderness Act of Division, Izaak Walton League of designated wilderness on our National 2010 is the fi rst expansion of East America said, “Wilderness designation Forest,” said Dave Rothrock, president Tennesee’s wilderness areas in 24 for some of the most pristine and wild of Pennsylvania Trout Unlimited. years. It creates one new wilderness areas on the Allegheny will leave a “The areas identifi ed in the Citizens’ area and expands the boundaries of permanent natural legacy for future Wilderness Proposal are the remaining fi ve existing areas already located generations, so they can forever hike, roadless and most untouched natural within the Cherokee National Forest. hunt, camp and explore here.” areas on the Allegheny National Forest. They are one of our greatest These areas are currently managed by The Coalition supports the Citizens’ public assets and provide refuge for the U.S. Forest Service as Wilderness Wilderness Proposal for Pennsylvania’s naturally reproducing brook trout. We Study Areas, thus the bill will have no Allegheny National Forest, craft ed by need to ensure they remain wild for eff ect on privately-owned lands and Friends of Allegheny Wilderness in our children and grandchildren.” will cause no change in public access. 2003, which identifi es 54,460 acres of Thank the Senators and learn more at wilderness-quality lands on the ANF. Learn more/take action at htt p://www. pawild.org/ htt p://tnwild.org/get_involved

Broad Sense: Action Films (continued from page 2) as tuna, mackerel, and salmon, the As one who grew up in the 60s (yes, speak out, each in her own way, for apex predators. The fi lm’s producers I DO remember the 60s), I have been whatever is her passion, whether it’s are hoping to get “Bag It” into the increasingly dismayed at the lack of att ending meetings, writing lett ers, mainstream media, but you can fi nd public involvement in issues of social gett ing out to wild places with kids, it on line at htt p://www.bagitmovie. justice and the environment, which or simply refusing to buy beverages com. When you do, please buy a copy is what drew me to Great Old Broads in plastic bott les. (The Broads offi ce is and show it at your local high school or in the fi rst place. I left Telluride with now offi cially plastic bott le and bag library. the feeling that there is a new energy free.)There are many small, and some abroad, and it’s growing with every large acts that we all can perform, but The fi nal fi lm I’ll mention here is new insult to Mother Earth, most act we must. called, “I Am.” It was produced by recently the heartbreaking tragedy in Tom Shadyac, who has won Oscars for the Gulf of Mexico. Tim De Christopher, he who brought fi lms such as Ace Ventura and Bruce a fl awed gas drilling permit auction Almighty. His fi lm asks the question, To see what these talented people in Utah to a halt in December 2009 why, if we’re more prosperous in the arts are producing, and with his impromptu but courageous today, are we less happy than ever. how powerfully they’re using new actions, remarked that “point and In interviews with many wise men communications techniques, was truly click” activism is no longer suffi cient. and women and with consummate inspiring. We Old Broads, as the wise We each need to take positive actions, cinematic skill, he has created a lively matriarchs, have a responsibility to private or public, to come to the and thought provoking piece that teach and to lead, and we have at our defense of our mother, the Earth. The challenges us to rethink what we hold disposal the work of many talented and stakes are enormous and the window valuable. We are led to a conclusion dedicated artists and communicators. of opportunity diminishing daily. that is embodied in Broadness. Every individual, including all members of Much of humanity is currently I am so very proud of our members all species with whom we share the behaving like unruly, poorly brought- and our staff , because we are known planet, is valuable and is connected to up children who can think only of for action, not just talk. So, I implore everyone, and everything else. increasing their own share, with you, dear Broads and Bros, to be brave, no thought for others or for our step out of your comfort zones, and act The festival left me both emotionally emerald globe, our Mother. It’s up on behalf of this great earthen sphere drained and spiritually energized. to the mothers and grandmothers to we call Mother.

WWW.GREATOLDBROADS.ORG SUMMER 2010 11 BOOT CAMP II n Broads from across the US The newly minted converged on Pack Creek Ranch Broadband leaders

o for Broadband Leader Boot Camp returned home II, held March 25-29. Jane and Ken prepared to recruit Sleight (inspiration for Seldom new members and Seen Smith from Ed Abbey’s host awareness-raising Monkey Wrench Gang) hosted activities such as hikes the event at their beautiful ranch and speaker-events, just outside of Moab, Utah. The share information on location, participants, presenters wilderness issues,

cti and hosts could not have been comment on issues Campers took time to enjoy the granduer of the Moab more perfect. and agency actions, landscape. communicate with Ten new Broadband leaders from the media, arrange for Arizona, California, Wyoming, monitoring trainings and legislative leaders to share ideas and Minnesota, Wisconsin and visits, and engage in service projects inspiration. A Utah were trained in grassroots in the region. Aft er the training, organizing, communication, Thanks to the New Land Broadband Leaders stay connected Foundation for their support of lobbying skills, wilderness history, with staff and other Broadband Broadbands and Boot Camp II. documentation of on-the-ground abuses, and Broads’ positions on issues such as grazing, off -road in “IT (BOOT CAMP II) HAS BEEN AN AMAZING, UNFORGET- vehicles, and oil, gas, and mineral

development. Broads staff , board TABLE EXPERIENCE, AND I FEEL SO BLESSED TO HAVE members, and current Broadband MET AND SPENT TIME WITH SO MANY AMAZING WOM- leaders covered lots of material supplemented with sessions by EN. I AM LEAVING WITH A WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGE AND presenters from The Wilderness WARM MEMORIES.” - TRUE FLORES, BORREGO/SAN Support Center (The Wilderness Society), Southern Utah Wilderness DIEGO BROADBAND Alliance, and Red Rock Forests.

Clockwise from top left : Palouse Broadband on a spring hike, Santa Cruz Broadband

and cleaning up, Northern Sierra Broadband tabling at the Western Wilderness Conference with help from

B a few Broad Directors, Four Corners Broadband tabling at the Relocal Fair in Durango, Sangre de Cristo Broadband on their annual spring cleanup. ad o B

12 SUMMER 2010 WWW.GREATOLDBROADS.ORG OULD WYOU LIKE TO START A BROADBAND IN YOUR AREA? LET US HELP.

Clockwise from top left : WE’RE TAKING Florida Broadband on a mini APPLICATIONS Broadwalk to Caladesi Island on International Women’s FOR OUR NEXT Day (yes, that’s ED Ronni Egan in the front), WHALES BROADBAND Broadband (Wyoming) enjoying a hike in their LEADER BOOT spectacular part of the world, and Pueblo Broadband CAMP. (Colorado) happily hiking in their neck of the woods. OR CURRENT FBROADBAND LOCATIONS BROA DS WISH LIST AND CONTACTS, GO TO www. Donations of GPS units (Garmin’s Members who will host fundraising eTrex models would be great) house parties to support Broads greatoldbroads. Passionate candidates (doers, Each of our members will introduce org/local_ donors, and door-openers) who will a young child (or two!) to a wild place. broads.htm. apply for our Board of Directors Then tell us about the adventure CONTACT ROSE Members who will volunteer to Members who will become become Broadband leaders (see sidebar Facebook fans of Great Old Broads for AT rose@ on this page) Wilderness and recruit 20 or more of greatoldbroads. their friends to become fans too Members who will become actively org OR 970-385- involved with their local Broadbands 20 additional members who will support us with sustaining 7577 FOR MORE A generous friend to donate a memberships of $20 a month to help functional offi ce phone system (or funds DETAILS. cover our monthly offi ce overhead for one) Healthy Lands Project (HLP) will Members who will volunteer to boast numerous new partners and our help solicit donations for our Wild for members will tell their local grassroots Wilderness on-line auction organizations all about how HLP can Members who will recruit 20 help (visit www.healthylands.org) friends to become members of Great If you can fulfi ll any of our wishes - please Old Broads for Wilderness let us know by calling Ronni or Rose Members who will give gi Broads at 970-385-9577 or e-mailing broads@ memberships to Broad-minded friends greatoldbroads.org. and family

ON FACEBOOK? Become a Fan of Great Old Broads for Wilderness. Search our name or go to http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/pages/Great-Old-Broads-for-Wilderness/ 181641605322?ref=ts Don’t forget to invite all your friends!! WWW.GREATOLDBROADS.ORG SUMMER 2010 13 BLM SEEKS COMMENT ON FERAL HORSE ISSUE Wild horses have for example, approximately $29 Easy way proliferated in many million, or about 70 percent of wild land habitats the total wild horse and burro to Support in the West, oft en program budget of over $40 causing serious impact million, was spent on animals Broads to the land. Last held in corrals and pastures. December the Bureau Our annual Wild Great Old Broads for of Land Management for Wilderness conducted several Wilderness is providing

“gathers” to reduce Photo courtesy of Sagebrush Sea Campaign. comments to the BLM regarding On-line Auction their populations and this “management” and we has become a urge our members to do the thus their impact. To say that these gathers major source were controversial is an understatement, same. (To read Ronni Egan’s stance on with emotional outcries from their fans feral horses, go to page 3 of the last issue of funding for and applause from most conservationists. of Broadsides - www.greatoldbroads.org/ Broads Advocacy broadsides/2010_Spring.pdf) Now the BLM has proposed a “new Programs. direction” in wild horse and burro To gather feedback, the Strategy management, including the designation Development Document outlines specifi c If you are one of areas where the BLM is seeking public of “treasured herds” and making more those who just fi nd forage available to them. Costs for the input over a 60-day comment period. To program, particularly those for animals in access the document and provide the BLM it easier to donate holding facilities, have risen dramatically with feedback, follow the link provided at services, gift cer- www.blm.gov. in the last several years. In fi scal year 2009, tifi cates, or prod- ucts, we’ve found 6th Annual Wild for Wilderness On-Line Auction a way for you to October 25 – November 14, 2010 do just that. Also, if you fi nd We’re preparing our 6th annual on-line auction with off erings of art, photography, books, music, classes, services, a product or jewelry, outdoor adventures, outdoor gear, footwear, unique service that you experiences, and vacation stays. think other Broads This event raises funds to provide on-the-ground monitoring and stewardship of wild lands. It has become would love, please a holiday and vacation shopping tradition among more consider asking than 4,000 members and other supporters and is our largest annual fundraising eff ort. Our 2010 auction goal is $60,000. for a donation. To donate, e-mail [email protected] or visit our on-line donation page at www. Find details about greatoldbroads.org/nadf.php. We are looking for corporate sponsorships as well as donations. Information about the 2010 auction can be found at www.greatoldbroads.org/ the auction on our auctiondonorinfo2010.pdf web site.

Broads kick up their heals and walk the goats at Boot Camp II in Moab, Utah.

14 SUMMER 2010 WWW.GREATOLDBROADS.ORG MEET THE NEW DIRECTOR FOR THE HEALTHY LANDS PROJECT

In June, Broads M.S. degree in Wildlife Biology in Citizens Alliance. He enjoys whitewater hired Gary Skiba to 1981. He worked for 3 years as the kayaking and raft ing, hiking, and is replace Tim Peterson manager of a private hunting area training two miniature burros (Yin and as the Director of near Greeley, Colorado, and joined Yang) for backcountry travel. the Healthy Lands the Colorado Division of Wildlife in As Director of HLP, Gary organizes the Project (HLP). Gary 1986 as Wildlife Technician. resource monitoring eff orts of more joins Broads aft er He moved to Durango in 1987 as a than 20 HLP partner organizations in a 23-year career Habitat Biologist, then to Denver nine western states and communicates with the Colorado in 1992 to work on the CDOW’s with numerous public land managers. Division of Wildlife role in ecosystem management, where he was HLP was developed by Great Old nongame wildlife management, and the supervisor of Broads for Wilderness to promote biodiversity issues. He returned to six Wildlife Conservation Biologists improved public land management the promised land of Durango in the stationed throughout southwestern by providing documentation of on- spring of 2005 as the supervisor for Colorado. In that position, he focused the-ground conditions to public land the Southwestern region of the newly on conservation planning and agencies. Working with partners across formed Wildlife Conservation section, management projects for threatened the west, HLP collects and stores maps, focusing on conservation planning and endangered wildlife species. photos, and comments on the relative and management for threatened and health of lands managed by the Bureau Gary grew up in western Pennsylvania endangered wildlife. of Land Management and the US and received a B.S. degree in Wildlife Gary has been actively involved with Forest Service. The database housing Management from the University of the La Plata County Democratic party, the monitoring data is managed by New Hampshire in 1978. He arrived serving on their Executive Committ ee, HLP and currently contains more than in Colorado in 1978, earning an and is a Board Member of the San Juan 200,000 records.

P L A NNED G IVING M E A N S WILDERNESS FOR GENERATIONS TO COME Future generations are depending on us. If humans are to survive on this amazing blue planet, we need to get serious about leaving a legacy of a healthy environment. Resource development, recreation excesses, and just plain human encroachment all pose threats to © George Wuerthner biodiversity, climate stability, and peace of mind. Your gift to Great Old Broads for Wilderness helps build a steady foundation for us as we stand fi rm in our advocacy of wild public lands. You may also save on estate taxes and be able to leave more to your heirs. There are many mutually benefi cial ways for you to support Great Old Broads for Wilderness through planned giving. Talk to your Financial Advisor about these options. • Bequest • Retirement Plan • Life Insurance Other options to discuss Include us in your will Name us on your plan and Write a new policy with with your Financial Advi- with a gift of cash, prop- avoid income tax on the Great Old Broads for Wil- sor include: erty, or a portion of the plan’s assets derness as a benefi ciary • Pooled Income Fund estate • Real Estate Gi s or donate all or part of an • Charitable Gi Annuity • Appreciated Securities Stay in your home while existing policy • Charitable Remainder Avoid capital gains tax by avoiding capital gains tax Unitrust making a gift and leaving more to your heirs We’d love to know if you’ve included Broads in your estate plan!

WWW.GREATOLDBROADS.ORG SUMMER 2010 15 Non Profi t Org. Great Old Broads for Wilderness US Postage PO Box 2924 PAID Durango, CO Durango, CO 81302 Permit No. 682

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