There is a delight in the hardy life of the open. There are no words that can tell the hidden spirt of the wilderness, that can reveal its mystery, its melancholy, and its charm. Theodore Roosevelt
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 BOARD Completes new Strategic Plan Visioning
During 2022 the NWSA Board has been busy updating our guiding documents and creating a new strategic plan for NWSA. You can read about the new Strategic Vision here. We hope you will take the time to familiarize yourself with it and then join us in its implementation. Our overriding mission is still to promote and encourage volunteer stewardship in all wilderness areas as well as ensure there is a stewardship group available for all units of the National Wilderness Preservation System. Look for more exciting news in the days ahead.
SAVE THE DATE
The National Wilderness Workshop has been rescheduled to April 25-27th in Missoula Montana.
The Society of Wilderness Stewardship is the lead for planning this year's event. They will be sending out notices soon for this year's gathering of the wilderness community. They have been working with local tribal interests in Montana to have a focus theme around working with indigenous communities. Stay tuned for more details.NWSA GETS AN AWARD!
NWSA was honored recently by the Public Lands Alliance as a 2022 Public Land Partner along with the USDA Forest Service.
You can watch the award ceremony video here. CLICK HERE
NWSA FUNDING PROGRAMS
Both the National Forest Wilderness Stewardship Performance Funding and the National Forest System Trail Stewardship Pertner Funding programs are currently active in 2022 with 19 WSP projects, and 30 Trail projects. Check back at the beginning of 2023 for information on next year's program.
WEBINARS
2022 NWSA Webinar Series
Volunteers are integral to the success and function of the USDA Forest Service. Since passage of the Volunteers in the National Forests Act of 1972, which authorized the agency to accept voluntary services, 2.7+ million volunteers have contributed more than 120 million hours of service (valued at over $1.4 billion) to help care for the land and serve people.
This session will detail when and how to fill out the Volunteer Services Agreement for Natural Resources Agencies (OF-301a) and Group Volunteer Sign-Up (OF-301b) forms as well as touch on topics such as reimbursements, background checks, and volunteer recognition. Poudre Wilderness Volunteers will also provide examples of how they are utilizing technology to sign up and manage volunteers
This webinar will explore the procedures and processes for volunteering with the USDA Forest Service. From the forms needed to working with local units. This session will help anyone or any organization volunteer their time for a project on the National Forests. Our speakers for this webinar include Chelsea Muise and Kevin Cannon.Kevin Cannon was the Wilderness, Trails, and Wild & Scenic Rivers program manager on the Canyon Lakes Ranger District, Arapaho-Roosevelt NF from September of 2001 thru December of 2019. Kevin was also the Forest Service liaison to the nationally renowned Poudre Wilderness Volunteers (PWV) based in Fort Collins, Colorado. PWV can boast of contributing over 24,000 hours of volunteer service to the Canyon Lakes Ranger District in 2019 with 320 volunteers. Kevin now contracts back to help the FS during the extreme personnel shortage in the Recreation department. Basically, lending his learned skills, knowledge and generally aiding in moving the recreation programs along. Kevin earned a bachelor’s degree from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Arizona in Forest Management in May 1980. Kevin has been with the Forest Service working in Wilderness and trails for more than 35 years. In 2005 Kevin was awarded the Bob Marshall Wilderness Champion Award for helping all levels of the Forest Service manage Wilderness through his work on the Forest Service’s Wilderness Information Management Steering Group national team. And in 2019 Kevin was recognized as the Wild & Scenic River Outstanding River Manager
Wilderness Stewardship Advocacy Series
NEWSLETTERS
Winter 2022 - Click Here to Download the Winter Newsletter
- 2021 National Wilderness Workshop Information
- 2021 Wilderness Awards
NWSA FUND
The National Wilderness Stewardship Alliance Fund is dedicated to the support and help of new wilderness stewardship groups.
To read more about this new Fund to support wilderness stewardship CLICK HERE
National Wilderness Stewardship Awards
Please consider nominating worthy individuals and groups for the recognition they deserve. A new Award solicitation cycle will begin this Fall 2022. Coming Soon.
Check out all the details on our Awards Page.
MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL FOR 2023
October - December is the Time to JOIN or RENEW your NWSA Membership. Don't miss out on NWSA Funding Programs for 2023.
Remember to renew your NWSA Membership for 2023. Click here for details.
It is now time to renew membership in NWSA for the 2023 Fiscal Year. We are changing our membership year to match the Calendar Year which better aligns with the National Wilderness Workshop and other membership programs. Participate in webinars, apply for funding programs, get discounts at workshops and conferences. Be kept advised of news and events affecting the wilderness stewardship community. Join the community today!
In 2023, only Member Organizations will be able to apply for WSP Funding programs.
Have you read our latest Newsletter? Click to Download the Newsletter
