Idaho Celebrates Decade of Boulder-White Clouds Wilderness Protection

Idaho's scenic towns, such as Stanley and Sandpoint, offer breathtaking natural beauty characterized by rugged mountains, alpine lakes, and diverse wildlife, making them gateways to the state's wilderness. A recent study by Boise State University and Idaho State University highlighted that Idahoans view wildfire, residential development, non-native plants, motorized off-highway vehicles, and climate change as major threats to the imperiled sagebrush steppe ecosystem, with opinions on management strategies varying by political and demographic factors. The Boulder-White Clouds area in central Idaho, encompassing over 275,000 acres of protected wilderness, celebrated its 10th anniversary of official designation in 2025, marking a significant bipartisan achievement in public lands preservation spearheaded by U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson. This federal protection, enacted through the Sawtooth National Recreation Area and Jerry Peak Wilderness Additions Act signed by then-President Barack Obama, prevents development and motorized use to preserve the area's natural state. The decade-long effort involved extensive collaboration and compromise among conservationists, government officials, and local communities to safeguard some of Idaho's most iconic high peaks, alpine lakes, and wildlife habitats. These initiatives reflect Idahoans' strong desire to protect their natural landscapes amidst growing environmental and development pressures.