Badger Creek sends her news flowing pell-mell through a wild valley of ancient forests. Western Tanagers whistle refrains from the treetops. When I am nearby, I usually daydream of dwelling in this world that is bliss. But while backpacking out of Badger Creek Wilderness on the Mt. Hood National Forest recently, I feared for every unprotected acre. The Trump administration is intent on ripping up our environmental laws, selling off our last big trees to the highest bidder, sending wildlife to extinction, escalating the climate crisis, worsening wildfires and desecrating headwater forests essential for drinking water.

News Source : https://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/2025/08/readers-respond-conserve-roadless-areas-to-protect-the-wild.html