ENR Club Presents the UW Wilderness Festival

The University of Wyoming’s Environment and Natural Resources (ENR) Club will host a series of events April 1-4 focusing on wilderness in Wyoming and the Rocky Mountains.

“We seek, through the UW Wilderness Festival, to facilitate a statewide discussion among concerned citizens and wilderness stewards about the future of wilderness, our most pristine public lands, while celebrating wilderness in Wyoming and in the greater Rocky Mountain region,” says ENR Club President Jackson Clarendon.

The schedule:

Wednesday, April 1, film festival -- The films “Land of No Use” and “Common Ground” from the Montana Wilderness Association, and “Shoshone Wild” and “Forgotten Spaces” from the Wyoming Wilderness Association will be shown at 7 p.m. in the Berry Biodiversity Conservation Center.

Thursday, April 2, panel discussion -- Panelists Mark Jenkins, author and adventurer; Louise Lasley, Board of Wilderness Watch president; Jennie Trefren, Bureau of Land Management coordinator at the Wyoming Wilderness Association; and Dan Smitherman, Wyoming representative for the Wilderness Society, will speak at 7 p.m. in the College of Education auditorium.

Friday, April 3, music festival -- Laramie's The Libby Creek Original will join Tallgrass and Von Stomper from Fort Collins at 7 p.m. at the Laramie Train Depot. This free event is for all ages.

Saturday, April 4, outdoor excursion -- To inspire people to get outside and experience the amazing backcountry, the ENR Club and UW Outdoor Program will offer a hike and camping trip into the Platte River Wilderness Area near Six Mile Gap. Limited to 30 people, the excursion includes transportation, medically trained guides and snowshoes. The Wyoming Conservation Corps will provide tents and firewood, and the ENR Club will provide dinner and breakfast. Participants must bring sleeping bags, which can be rented at the Outdoor Program. The excursion is weather dependent.

All events will be free and open to the public, although the Outdoor Excursion will have priority space for students.