The Environmental Law Society will host a panel at 4 p.m. April 10 called “Wilderness at 50: Past, Present, and Future,” as a tag-on event to a 7 pm. showing at the Kenworthy Performing Arts Centre of the documentary, “A Fierce Green Fire — The Battle for a Living Planet.”
The panel discussion will provide an in-depth history of the Wilderness Act, while the film showing will chronicle the stories of people uniting to protect the world’s land, water and wildlife.
The Wilderness Act turns 50 this fall, and according to Craig Watt, president of the University of Idaho Environmental Law Society, that number is indicative of a successful act.
“Congress hasn’t overturned it,” Watt said. “The reason they haven’t overturned it is because it’s important to the public. Wilderness is the epitome of American ruggedness, and thus part of our character.”
The act, signed into law by U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964, pertains to things such as protecting the remaining wilderness from intrusive highway building, excessive logging and gas drilling.
“Idaho has more wilderness area (acreage) than any other state in the lower 48,” Watt said. “Wilderness is near and dear to many people’s hearts — fishers, hunters, hikers, rafters. This fact alone makes it clear that the Wilderness Act is very relevant to the lives of Idahoans.”
The panel will include topics such as the potential for new wilderness, the state of wilderness research and wilderness management challenges — such as wildfire and drought. Panel members will include UI faculty, representatives of the Idaho Conservation League, The Wilderness Society and Wilderness Watch.
“The environmental movement is very broad,” Watt said. “It encompasses things like health, as well as natural places. Almost every city has environmental groups.”
Attendees of the panel, as well as anyone interested in The Wilderness Act are invited to the Kenworthy for a showing of “A Fierce Green Fire,” scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.
“‘A Fierce Green Fire’ is a 50-year retrospective of the environmental movement,” Watt said “The Wilderness Act grew out of this movement. The focus is around five stories where individuals have worked to protect the environment.”
Watt said he looks forward to meeting new and interesting people at the events.
“A lot of this is about the personal stories — going hiking with your grandkids, or what have you,” Watt said.
In addition to the film showing — which is sponsored by The Environmental Law Society, the Palouse Environmental Sustainability Coalition, the Idaho Conservation League and the UI Sustainability Center — there will be a slew of prize giveaways. Raffle and door prizes include 10 items from Northwest River Supplies, a $65 value massage from Balance Wellness Spa, $50 gift certificates from Gnosh and the Moscow Wine Company and numerous other donations from local businesses.
Karter Krasselt can be reached at [email protected]