Great Old Broads for Wilderness Archives - The Source

Conservation in Central Oregon

When it comes to plugging into local environmental and conservation causes, these are groups to choose from

Mary FleishmannApril 17, 2019June 29, 2025

Bitterbrush Broads – Great Old Broads for Wilderness Great Old Broads for Wilderness is a national nonprofit organization based in Durango, Colo. Currently, 40 Chapters of the Broads operate throughout the U.S., with four chapters in Oregon. The Central Oregon Bitterbrush Broads chapter is local to this region. The Broads are engaged in inspiring women […]

Outside

Crowds in the Backcountry

As national forest leaders consider quotas for local wilderness areas, some local wilderness advocates weigh in

Brian JenningsJuly 11, 2018April 4, 2025

Sarah Cuddy coordinates conservation efforts in the Ochoco National Forest for Oregon Wild. She’s worried about increased foot traffic in the woods. “With our population increase we’re seeing an increase in recreation. The sheer volume of people on the trails now is way more than we’ve experienced in the past.” Central Oregon’s population growth bears […]

Special Issues & Guides

2016 Woman of the Year: Alice Elshoff

Educator and conservationist protecting Oregon’s natural treasures

Brian JenningsMay 4, 2016July 4, 2025

As co-founder of Friends of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, Alice Elshoff’s patience with the armed occupation near Burns unraveled on Jan. 9. She had patiently watched the armed takeover of the 188,000-acre preserve, admitting that she didn’t take it seriously at first. On that early Saturday in January, however, all that changed. She fired […]

News

Sourcecast Audio: C. Oregon’s Great Old Broads for Wilderness

Brian JenningsApril 20, 2016August 16, 2023

Founded 25 years ago, the Great Old Broads for Wilderness has become a leading voice for conservation. In this Sourcecast, we talked with four members of the Central Oregon Chapter to learn about their focus and concerns for the region.

Outside

Taking a Stand for Wilderness

Central Oregon’s Great Old Broads

Brian JenningsApril 20, 2016May 4, 2025

In some social circles the term “great old broads” might be considered offensive. However, the Great Old Broads for Wilderness are proud of the label. The organization was formed in 1989 as a protest to Utah Sen. Orin Hatch who opposed a wilderness proposal in his state, declaring that wilderness is inaccessible to the elderly […]

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