FAQ

Wildlands Network Frequently Asked Questions 

 Q1: How is the Wildlands Network organized and funded?

 A1: Wildlands Network was first incorporated in 1991 as Wildlands Project. The organization’s name was changed to reflect its evolving implementation focus.  We are a privately funded, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.  Wildlands Network's income is based on grants and donations from corporations, foundations and individuals.

Q2: Is the Wildlands Network associated with any governmental or political groups?

 A2: No. Wildlands Network (formerly Wildlands Project) is an independently operated, non-political organization. However, our land protection methodology is occasionally recognized by political organizations and governmental agencies. Other Wildlands Network-affiliated projects, such as the Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative, have at times been endorsed or noted by federal conservation agencies in Canada and the U.S.  In addition, Wildlands Network science, methodology and terminology have been adopted by numerous private and public organizations working to protect wildlife corridors, including the Western Governor’s Association.

Q3: Why does the Wildlands Network want to enlarge and connect wild areas?

 A3: The science of conservation biology tells us that existing protected areas are too small and too isolated from one another to allow for the natural migrations of animals, plants and ecological processes. Moreover, as development of all kinds moves deeper into the countryside, these scattered "islands" of protected habitat are increasingly threatened by a wide range of factors including pollution, invasion of exotic species, and habitat fragmentation and destruction, among others.

Each of these changes can significantly impact nature's natural balance, resulting in a variety of unexpected and unwanted consequences for both people and wildlife. To keep our wildlands and wildlife healthy for future generations, we must change our strategy from protecting "islands" to protecting habitat "networks," consisting of large core wild areas connected by other protected areas and sustained by vibrant, healthy human communities.

Q4: How long will it take the Wildlands Network to achieve its goals?

A4: Aldo Leopold once said: In our attempt to make conservation easy, we have made it trivial." Wildlands Network recognizes that there are no quick fixes to North America's ecological problems. Creating a continental system of connected wildlands is a long-term, visionary project that could take 100 years or more to complete.

Q5: How does the Wildlands Network's habitat connection network incorporate private lands in its work?

A5: Private landowners and land trusts interested in helping the Wildlands Network achieve its goals can participate in several ways, including voluntary adoption of land use restrictions via conservation easements, voluntary sale or donation of land to land trusts or conservation buyers, private restoration and protection efforts, and participation through other private protection and restoration incentives.

Q6: How does Wildlands Network work cooperatively with people or businesses in managing their private property for conservation purposes?

A6: Private landowners and businesses may voluntarily decide to alter management or ownership of sensitive lands based on available options and incentives. As a private, non-profit organization, Wildlands Network has no authority to condemn or otherwise remove from ownership any private lands. Negative economic influences, such as rising costs of agricultural production and pressures from developers to sell private lands, pose a much greater threat to private land ownership.

It is the goal of Wildlands Network to assist private landowners in maintaining ownership and management through a focus on positive incentives and policies which further good stewardship of private property. This approach encourages continuation of traditional uses while at the same time providing a common sense solution for protecting native species.

Q7: Does Wildlands Network advocate reintroduction of wolves and other predators?

A7: Yes, what happens to these important species eventually happens to us. We believe that these animals and humans can live alongside one another to the benefit of both. Conservation biologists widely agree that all members of an ecosystem must be present if it is to continue to provide optimum natural benefits to both wild and human communities.

The scientific foundation of wildlands protection and restoration begins with the presence of a healthy population of native carnivores and other keystone species that have strong, highly interactive influences on ecosystems. The regulating effect such species have on other species and habitat quality is critical to the natural balance of plants and animals in the food web.

Q8: According to Wildlands Network, how can people and top predators coexist?

A8: People can coexist with wolves, bears and other wildlife, just as they have for thousands of years and continue to do in many parts of the world, including North America. In most cases, humans can easily learn to safely coexist with wildlife by making minimal lifestyle changes. More importantly, if wild ecosystems are restored to a healthy and diverse state, the likelihood of contact between humans and wild animals is greatly diminished because the needs of wildlife are met within the bounds of their natural habitats.

 Q9:  How does the reintroduction of endangered species affect land use?

A9: Presence of endangered species means that private landowners in the United States must be aware of the requirements of the Endangered Species Act (ESA), and be given appropriate public and private incentives to comply with the law. Usually, restrictions on land use that could result from ESA rules are minimal and logical for the health of the land.

In other cases, landowners who agree to protect endangered species can benefit from several types of public and private assistance programs. The U.S. federal government, through the Department of Agriculture, currently provides millions of dollars in incentives to promote landowner protection of endangered species through conservation easement agreements, technical assistance, and other farmland protection assistance.

 Q10: How much land will Wildlands Network's require?

A10: There is no way to determine in advance how much land would be required for a continental system of connected wildlands. The amount of land needed will be determined by long-term, science-based mapping of ecosystems showing the areas required to sustain wildlife and natural processes into the distant future. Public and private decision-making processes will be required in order to turn any Wildlands Network-proposed land protection strategy into reality on the ground.

Approximately 5% of the U.S. is currently protected in national parks, monuments, wilderness, wildlife refuges, and other public and private reserves. In order to restore the balance of nature, halt the current wave of extinctions, and preserve native biodiversity for future generations, our conservation proposals often include enlarging existing protected areas, creating new protected areas, and encouraging various levels of additional protection for other types of federal, state, and private lands.

Q11: Will protected areas in wildlands networks be off-limits to humans?

A11: No. New or existing federally protected areas within Wildlands Network Designs (WNDs) will always be accessible to humans for a wide range of activities including hiking, primitive camping, nature study, photography, and wildlife viewing. Sustainable hunting and fishing opportunities, as well as certain levels of grazing, will also remain available where permitted under existing laws.

Q12: What are the human benefits of protecting wild nature?

A12: The benefits of nature protection are not limited to plants and animals. Nature provides humans with a complete life support system. Healthy ecosystems give us the "ecological services" that make human life possible and give it meaning: fresh air oxygenated by plants; drinking water purified by wetlands, nutrient-rich soils for food production; hospitable climates tempered by the effects of regional ecosystems; and natural beauty that lifts our spirits and inspires our souls.

Protecting nature ensures the health and well being of future generations. Healthy wildlands are the natural heritage that we will pass on to our children. To protect this heritage, it is our responsibility to reverse the human-caused loss of biodiversity that has occurred in our lifetimes. When we do what is right to protect creation, we also do what is right for nature, for our children, and for all future generations. Protecting biodiversity also has economic benefits for humans.

It is no coincidence that many communities located in regions where nature flourishes have higher rates of job and income growth relative to areas lacking these benefits. Communities that choose to invest in protecting nature today will be at the forefront of economic and social development tomorrow, as North American's desire to live in clean, safe, and healthy communities becomes increasingly valued.

Q13:  What is Wildlands Network’s position on the walling off of the U.S.-Mexico borderlands?

A. 13 While security is always a priority when dealing with international borders, efforts to provide that security should also include recognition of the survival  needs of our most endangered species and globally important ecosystems.  Based on information and research gathered through Wildlands Network-sponsored ecological symposiums and scientific workshops, it has become clear that the only option for maintaining both national and ecological security in the borderlands is to: 1) creation of new, comprehensive immigration reform policy that channels immigration through legal ports of entry rather than through remote wildlands areas; 2) through reliance on “virtual fencing” technologies that minimize habitat destruction through use of radar, infrared heat and motion-sensing equipment; and 3) through reliance on the legal requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to guide and help plan construction of border security infrastructure in ecologically-sensitive borderlands areas.

Q14: How can I get more information about the Wildlands Network?

A14: Contact our home office toll free at 877-554-5234 ext. 0 between 8:00am to 4:00pm EST, or view the only official Wildlands Network website at www.wildlandsnetwork.org.  You can also contact our field offices in Portal, Arizona at 520-558-0165 and in Thetford, Vermont at 802-785-2838.