Actions | Stop Global Warming

Help Protect America's Wildest Grassland

New Mexico's Otero Mesa is the largest and wildest Chihuahuan Desert grassland left on public lands in this country. Yet this ecological gem has been under serious threat from potential oil and gas drilling since the beginning of the Bush Administration.

But now, thanks to years of hard work by The Wilderness Society, our conservation partners, and the State of New Mexico, there is a chance to safeguard Otero Mesa, but we need your help.

Click here to help protect Otero Mesa today!

Earlier this year, the U.S. 10th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) plan to open Otero Mesa to oil and gas leasing was flawed.

The court said that the BLM did not adequately consider the potential impact oil and gas development has in causing habitat fragmentation. Otero Mesa is home to some 1,000 wildlife species, including the states's only genetically pure herd of pronghorn antelope. The court also found that the BLM should have considered an alternative plan to protect all of Otero Mesa from oil and gas drilling.

The BLM must now go back to the drawing board and incorporate this ruling into new plans for determining how Otero Mesa is managed and protected.

This gives us an important chance to ask the Department of Interior to give Otero Mesa permanent protection. Please take action now!

Please ask Interior Secretary Ken Salazar to permanently protect Otero Mesa as part of the BLM's Conservation System. Without permanent protection, Otero Mesa's wilderness and wildlife remain at risk.

This is a one-time pledge that can be fulfilled any time.

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Comments, Suggestions and Stories

Joycey Berry Canton, NC @ 02:44PM PT Nov 12

Thank you for making the pledge "Help Protect America's Wildest Grassland"

Thanks for Taking Action!

Thanks for taking action to protect our wildlife and wilderness. The Wilderness Society is integrally involved in helping decision makers understand what's at risk on public lands, and how best to protect wilderness and wildlife. Help us in this mission with your donation today.
Alisha Nickols Stockton, CA @ 06:21PM PT Nov 07
Pledge fulfilled Nov 07!

Pledge completed.
james m nordlund Fargo, ND @ 03:44PM PT Nov 06
Pledge fulfilled Nov 06!

"...There's a beacon in the sky, meant to catch your eye...", sung by Happy Rhodes. Concentration on solar energy, no non-renewable energy resources and no nuclear, is what's needed. reality
Soodle Billy Co.Dublin, Ireland @ 10:31AM PT Nov 06
Pledge fulfilled Nov 06!

Thanks for Taking Action!

Thanks for taking action to protect our wildlife and wilderness. The Wilderness Society is integrally involved in helping decision makers understand what's at risk on public lands, and how best to protect wilderness and wildlife. Help us in this mission with your donation today.
Alan Haggard San Diego, CA @ 12:46AM PT Nov 06

Initiated this Pledge!