Wilderness Connect, housed on the University of Montana campus, acknowledges that we are on the traditional lands of the Salish and Kalispel peoples, who have stewarded this land throughout many generations and are its past, present, and future caretakers.
Interagency Regional Wilderness Stewardship Training
February 24-27, 2020
Palm Springs, California
James Sippel, Bureau of Land Management representative at the Arthur Carhart National Wilderness Training Center
$100 per participant. Participants also pay their own travel costs. Lodging will be made available at or below the per diem rate, and specific information about lodging will be sent out after registration closes.
This course is focused specifically on the stewardship of wilderness in the southwestern part of the US (including but not limited to southern California, southwestern Nevada, western Arizona) and is appropriate for mid-level and field-level decision makers and key staff with wilderness stewardship responsibilities.
This course focuses on the interpretation and application of the Wilderness Act of 1964 through agency policy, and by applying sound wilderness management principles. The overarching mandate to preserve wilderness character, including its public use, is emphasized, as is the application of the Minimum Requirements Analysis process. Participants will learn to: 1) interpret and discuss the Wilderness Act of 1964, agency policy, related laws, special provisions, and maintain the wilderness values envisioned by Congress; 2) recognize and address changing regional issues affecting wilderness management; 3) apply wilderness stewardship principles to specific management challenges; and 4) demonstrate commitment to excellent wilderness stewardship and sound decision-making. Learning is enhanced by a one-day field trip into a local wilderness area to discuss local issues, and the opportunity to network with wilderness professionals from all land management agencies and partners. The content of this course is constructed to emphasize wilderness stewardship challenges common to the region in which it is conducted.
- Explore management approaches to issues that may be held in common with other participants.
- Relate management decision making to the legal framework of the Wilderness Act of 1964.
- Recognize the five qualities of “wilderness character” and how they are protected.
- Apply the Minimum Requirements Analysis process to stewardship issues.
- Identify resources, including online information.
- Examine wilderness issues relevant to the region, which may include but are not limited to:
- Fire Management
- Ecological Intervention
- Education & Interpretation
- Wilderness Character Monitoring
- Fish & Wildlife Management
- Managing Travel Routes
- Special Provisions
- Law Enforcement
The course requires completion of two online courses prior to attending, The Wilderness Act and either Writing a Minimum Requirements Analysis or Evaluating a Minimum Requirements Analysis.
Registration is closed, however waitlist applications are still being accepted.
Questions about the registration process should be directed to Holly Metzger at hollyametzger@fs.fed.us or 406-243-4682. Questions about course content or logistics should be directed to the course coordinator, James Sippel, jsippel@blm.gov, 406-243-4625.