“My community is committed to defending these wild places not only for us but for future generations.”

“Oregonians love to hike, fish, and enjoy wilderness.”

“I used to take my young children on walks in wilderness areas to provide them with an understanding of the importance and joy such places can and do bring to our lives. The wonderful memories of those times shall always remain with me.”

“Wilderness is important. It can demonstrate its beauty, inspire us with its significance, and help us have better lives, but it cannot speak for itself. It is up to us to speak for it.”

“Wilderness is in my blood.”

“Our community's tourism-based economy also depends on access to these lands for multiple reasons—every job is just one degree away from supporting people who live and vacation here because of our wilderness areas.”

“Wilderness is a place where I can tap into both fortitude and softness. The remote and rugged wildernesses I've explored have called me to be strong, steady, and brave in the face of real, life-affirming challenges.”

“When I enter a Wilderness Area my soul is uplifted due to solitude, scenery, wildlife encounters, quiet. I escape the distractions of my  normal day-to-day activities, the news, TV, computer and text messages. I can reflect on my life—and people in my life—past and present.”

“Experiencing wilderness with my own kids has opened my eyes to the raw power of wild places. Wilderness ignited a fire of curiosity and wonder in them.”

“When we protect nature and allow ecosystems to develop and thrive without our interference, we're really investing in our own future.”

“In this rural community, each of us values our home as ours, yet wilderness is home for all of us. We don’t own it and our time there is impermanent, a love affair without bounds. This is why we live here.”