It is entirely in our power as a nation to preserve large tracts of wilderness, which are valueless for agricultural purposes and unfit for settlement, as playgrounds for rich and poor alike, and to preserve the game so that it shall continue to exist for the benefit of all lovers of nature, and to give reasonable opportunities for the exercise of the skill of the hunter, whether he is or is not a man of means.  Theodore Roosevelt, Naturalist, Cowboy, Mayor, Soldier, 26th President of the United States

The National Wilderness Stewardship Alliance exists to bring together the wilderness stewardship community into a growing network of volunteer-based non-profit organizations that provide stewardship for America's enduring resource of wilderness. Read More

What's Happening -

NWSA Funding Programs to begin taking Applications, February 18.  Due April 15.

The Wilderness Stewardship Performance (WSP) Partner Funding program is back for Summer 2019.  Applications will be available on Feb 18.  Due April 15.  $165,000 is available.  Plan now to send in your best proposal to help the Forest Service improve their WSP scores.  Must be a NWSA member to apply.

The National Forest System Trail Stewardship Partnership Funding program is also back for 2019, though we are uncertain on the total funding at this point due to government shutdown's effect on a final budget to the agency.  We must also deal with an issue about the way the funding for "off-the-top" funding is being handled this year.  We do expect to have a program, so stay tuned.  Any stewardship group may apply for Trail Stewardship Funding.

See the Funding Programs webpage for all the details of both programs.  Click Here

Wilderness Stewardship Challenges Webinars

Next NWSA Webinar -

Upcoming Webinar:  April 9, 2019 at 1:00 pm MDT,  “Birding for Conservation”

Ian Davies of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology will discuss how to use the free Merlin Bird ID and eBird platforms to better identify, monitor, and understand the birds around you. Learn how you can become a part of the world’s largest biological citizen science project, with more than 615 million eBird sightings collected by 450,000 people spanning every country. Discover how these sightings from birdwatchers around the world have impacted conservation and science, and how eBird’s free resources can make a difference for individuals and organizations at local, regional, and national scales. 

Ian has been birding since he was 13, when folks at the Manomet Bird Observatory placed an adult male Canada Warbler in his hand to release. Things have never been the same. For the past four years he’s lived in Ithaca, working at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology for the eBird project to coordinate many of eBird's outreach and engagement efforts and day-to-day project development.

Click here for the Webinar Schedule.  and to Register

SAVE THE DATE  --  Central Rockies Wilderness Volunteer Workshop

• The Central Rockies Wilderness Volunteer Workshop
  April 10-12, Fort Collins
  Hosted By
  Poudre Wilderness Volunteers (Fort Collins) and 
  Friends of Wilderness (Steamboat Springs)
  Supported by the National Wilderness Stewardship Alliance
  By Volunteers, For Volunteers: Lots of time to network, new approaches to the challenges we all face, and a strategy to build alliances to keep us all thriving together!
  Among the events to strengthen you and your organization — short, focused talks, always with lots of time for Q&A to discuss implications, and to make Action Alliances
  What keeps wilderness stewardship volunteers coming back? — First of its kind research from Professor Rebecca Niemiec
  Strengthening your Group by Engaging your Members — Strategies that work for us
  The Rapid Trail Assessment Mobile App — Colorado Mountain Club’s tool to monitor impact, followed by “Apps Galore,” presenting other new tools for quality field work
  Keynote with Ralph Swain — The Human Element of Wilderness Stewardship: from Teddy to Today
  Agency Relations — “with a twist or two,” say the organizers!
  Volunteer Services Network — A possible new way to support our agency partners, and each other?
  Fundraising update from D.C.
  Writing grants that bring it home
  Corporate support — an overlooked route to financial stability?
  Fit to your Community — New supporters, new members, new ways to support and be supported
  Action Alliances — The “Blue Wall” will guide us to support and alliances to keep as all thriving!
  Field Day — A look at the latest principles of trail design, Trailhead hosting — a way to expand your membership — and Authority of the Resource on the trail.
  A great venue, on the Poudre River — five minutes walk to Old Town, five minutes to our Wednesday evening hosts, New Belgium, or take a stroll in the Gustav Swanson Natural Area across the river.  Did we mention: Snacks and three lunches for $10?

Registration Information Here

NWSA Newsletter

Have you seen our latest Newsletter?  Check it out.  2018 in the works.

Click Here for Latest Newsletter.

Save the DATE!  2019 National Wilderness Workshop - October 23-26th.  Bend Oregon.

The 2019 National Wilderness Workshop will be in Bend Oregon, October 23-26th.  Plan now to attend.

Click here for more information about the National Wilderness Workshop.

You can check out the theme and find the Request for Proposals for Presentations and Posters.  Registration to begin June 1.

It's Time to Join or RENEW your NWSA Membership.  Don't miss out on NWSA Funding Programs.

Memberships ended September 31, 2018.  Remember to renew your NWSA Membership for 2018-2019.  Click here for details.

It is now time to renew membership in NWSA for the 2019 Fiscal Year.  Membership runs October-September matching the US Government Fiscal Year.  Participate in webinars, apply for grants, get discounts at workshops and conferences.  Be kept advised of news and events affecting the wilderness stewardship community.  Join the community today!

Want to work in wilderness? Check out the Job Postings Here