Leading environmental lawyer, activist shares thoughts

By JODI HAUSEN Chronicle Staff Writer

In the open space that formerly existed between Denver and Boulder, Colo., rampant growth created “a very expensive, vibrant, rich community,” where many people can’t afford to live, Charles Wilkinson, a University of Colorado Law School professor, said Thursday.

“(The open space) is gone, just like that,” he said, snapping his fingers. “I fear for the same here.”

He encouraged his Bozeman-area audience -- about 25 environmental activists at their regular monthly communications meeting -- to engage more people in their efforts. For example, by negotiating with seemingly disparate interest groups such as recreational-vehicle riders, environmental activists may develop allies for future issues.

“They’re choosing to be out of doors and we need their support for the bigger issues,” Wilkinson said. “We have to be incrementalists.”

Wilkinson was in town for a Thursday evening trails and conservation celebration sponsored by the Gallatin Valley Land Trust and the Sonoran Institute. At the law school, he specializes in Western American history and Indian, public lands and water laws. He has authored several articles and books on environmental and legal issues including “Blood Struggle n the Rise of Modern Indian Nations” in 2006.

Environmentalists in this area are doing good work, but increasing public involvement in that work should be a constant goal, he said.

“We’ve got the talent, but too often we’re failing to connect with the public,” he said, adding that environmentalists are often regarded as elitists. “Locals need to be involved in growth planning. In terms of growth and zoning, it has to come from the communities. You have to get the community to really ask, ‘What do we want our community to look like in 20 years?’”

Wilkinson also suggested the activists try to find ways to use global warming as a hook to discuss various conservation issues. “Individual people are getting more environmentally conscious,” and coming to the conclusion that climate change is real and that human activity is a contributing factor, he said.

In a discussion on the economic impacts of growth and planning, he suggested that environmentalists should bring affordable housing issues to the forefront.

Ray Rasker, executive director of Headwaters Economics, noted that there’s an Endangered Species Act, but no Endangered Peoples Act. Energy development, for example, has “hurt a lot of folks,” he said.

Wilkinson said young voters are disenfranchised with the current administration. “People see government as a brick wall,” he said. They feel government doesn’t care.

But whatever changes the nation experiences as a result of this year’s elections, activists should gear up to use the transition period between administrations to lobby for change in environmental laws and regulations.

He also encouraged the groups to recruit more Native Americans to serve on their boards. Native tribes own about 58 million acres nationwide.

“The Indian voice is different than the Anglo voice,” he said.

Represented at the meeting were the Wilderness Society, EarthJustice and Headwaters Economics, among others.

Reader Comments