FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE USDA Forest Service, White River National Forest 120 Midland Ave., Suite 140 Glenwood Springs, CO 81601 Contact: Kate Jerman, +1 (970) 945-3237 [email protected] US Forest Service Commemorates 50th Anniversay of Wilderness at Cradle of Wilderness in Flat Tops Wilderness Area Meeker, Colo.,August, 22, 2014 - In 2014 the US Forest Service is dedicated to commemorating “50 Years of Wilderness” and honoring the anniversary of the National Wilderness Preservation System and the Wilderness Act of 1964. Today, Forest Service officials, employees, partners and community members gathered before the sweeping vistas of Trappers Lake in the Flat Tops Wilderness on the White River National Forest to recognize the 50th anniversary and to honor the Trappers Lake area. Trappers Lake, also known as the Cradle of Wilderness, remains a historically significant area for the region and the agency in regards to wilderness preservation. The Cradle of Wilderness was one of the first areas in the nation to be set aside from development by the agency due to the foresight of visionary Arthur Carhart, who sought for greater protection measures over special areas of land. “This area is special, not only to the community but to the agency. The story of Trappers Lake begins with the foresight of Arthur Carhart in 1919,” stated Ken Coffin, District Ranger of the Blanco Ranger District. “Carhart persuaded Forest Service leadership to save the area from development. By doing so, the agency took an unprecedented step, one of the first in the nation, toward establishing protected and pristine areas.” In 1919, Carhart was charged with surveying the Trappers Lake area for development. The natural rugged beauty of the area had a profound impact on Carhart during his visit. Upon completion of the survey, Carhart recommended to his superiors that the area remain Roadless and free of development of any kind. “It is important to recognize this area and its contributions to not only, land management policy, but also to American history,” stated Tom Wolf, author of the biography, Arthur Carhart: Wilderness Prophet. “Carhart believed in promoting the value of recreation. He believed places should be protected for a variety of values beyond just that of the utilitarian. These values include the scenic and recreational. By emphasizing this need, Carhart contributed to promoting certain areas of National Forests as unique places where the public could pursue recreation in pristine areas.” To honor the area’s significance, the group held a panel discussion and observation hikes. The discussion was facilitated by Paul Sutter, professor of Environmental History at the University of Colorado-Boulder; and paneled by Tom Wolf, Carhart biographer; Dr. Matt Pearce, Environmental Historian and native of Meeker, CO; Ralph Swain, Rocky Mountain Region Wilderness Program Manager; and Jill Ozarski, Senior Natural Resources advisor to U.S. Senator Mark Udall. The diverse group of individuals all contributed a unique perspective to dialogue about the important role that Trappers Lake, Wilderness and public lands play in American society. The Cradle of Wilderness is tucked into the Flat Tops Wilderness area which was designated as wilderness in 1975. It is one of 35 Forest Service wilderness areas in Colorado. “We are proud of all of the Forest Service wilderness areas in the Region, but particularly proud of the Flat Tops Wilderness and the story of Trappers Lake,” stated Ralph Swain, Rocky Mountain Region Wilderness Program Manager. “The area is emblematic of the desire from the American public for the US Forest Service to be stewards of areas that continue to inspire, enchant, and insight wonder in all who visit.” Natural places, in particular wilderness areas, continue to be important to those living in the Colorado for a variety of reasons. These reasons span the economic and historical and also contribute to local heritage and tradition. Tune into http://www.youtube.com/user/usdaForestService for a live streaming and recording of the event. The commemoration will continue on August 23, in Meeker where local partners will hold a Wilderness 50th celebration with activities such as a cross-cut saw competition and other primitive tool demonstrations, Dutch oven cooking demonstrations, Leave No Trace educational opportunities and more. ### .