Wild Wednesday – Celebrating the 50th of the Wild and Scenic Act

Later this year will mark the 50th anniversary of the Wild & Scenic Rivers Act, which has protected 59 sections of our incredible Oregon rivers for recreation, fish and wildlife, clean water, scenic beauty, and cultural significance.

On September 19th, noted conservationist Andy Kerr will present a lively history of the congressional and local politics of the inclusion of 59 Oregon stream segments, totaling 1,908 miles, in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System from the enactment of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968 until today. He’ll also give details on potential new protections for ~250 additional miles of Oregon streams pending in Congress.

Andy Kerr is the Czar of the Larch Company and consults on environmental and conservation issues. Kerr has been closely involved with the establishment or expansion of 46 Wilderness Areas and 47 Wild and Scenic Rivers, 13 congressionally legislated special management areas, 15 Oregon Scenic Waterways and one proclaimed national monument. Andy is best known for his two decades with Oregon Wild and is an instrumental part of Oregon’s conservation history.