The Wild Rockies
Rendezvous
1999 marks the 14th consecutive year that conservationists from throughout
the international Wild Rockies Bioregion have joined together to promote
a bioregional view of ecosystem protection, network, renew acquaintances,
and make new connections. The results have always been satisfying.
Here's a short look at the history of the Wild Rockies Rendezvous.
The idea of looking at the entire Northern Rockies Bioregion through
an annual regional gathering of conservationists was originated by the
members of the Badger Chapter, a group of University of Montana students
opposed to proposals for oil and gas drilling in the Badger-Two Medicine
area and Montana's Rocky Mountain Front. This group, headed by Mike Bader
(current director of AWR), organized and sponsored "The
1st Annual Northern Rockies Rendezvous, A 3-day Conference on The Conservation
of Wildlife and Wildlands in the Northern Rocky Mountains",
held on the University of Montana campus. The conference was a success,
with nearly 200 people attending.
Interest in the regional approach was high and participants diverse, ranging from Native American tribal leaders to National Park superintendents and Forest Supervisors to conservation leaders and industry representatives. Conference participants were invited from the states of Montana, Idaho and Wyoming, and the provinces of British Columbia and Alberta. As our efforts to define the bioregion improved, we added northeastern Oregon and eastern Washington. Stimulating topics included the top issues facing the region, including wilderness economics, regional timber supply, sacred lands, appeals and litigation, and the annual centerpiece of discussion: the international campaign to protect the Wild Rockies Bioregion.
The first five Rendezvous took place on the U of M campus. Starting with the 4th annual, the title was changed to the Wild Rockies Rendezvous, coinciding with the founding of AWR and the widely agreed upon term among grassroots conservationists in the region. Alliance for the Wild Rockies took over responsibility for organizing and sponsoring the conference.
The Rendezvous then left the campus for different grounds. The 6th Annual took place at the Orchard Homes Country Gardens, a rural area on the outskirts of Missoula. The 7th Annual took place at both the Elks Club and the Missoula County Fairgrounds. Beginning with the 8th Annual, the Rendezvous has been held at the beautiful Teller Wildlife Refuge in the Bitterroot Valley, in the shadow of the Greater Salmon-Selway Ecosystem, and in the heart of the Wild Rockies. This area has best fulfilled the atmosphere and facilities needed to realize everything we have wanted the Rendezvous to be.
The Rendezvous has become stronger every year as new people take part, and our regional network grows. It's the one best opportunity for folks from throughout our vast bioregion to come together for merriment, serious strategizing, and a great morale booster. Thirteen solid years of promoting the bioregional approach is a huge accomplishment--it really is something to celebrate!
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PO Box 8731 • Missoula, Montana • 59807
Phone: 406-721-5420 • Fax: 406-721-9917
E-mail: awr@wildrockies.org
Content Copyright 1999 Alliance
for the Wild Rockies, unless otherwise noted.
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