Deanna Neil

Every congress since 1964 has designated new wilderness areas, often drawing support from both major political parties, except the one currently enthroned.

Live updates for the landing of Curiosity, the roving Mars Science Laboratory.

"Southern California and parts of the Central Valley are experiencing up to 72% increase in the frequency of extreme storms with a 7% increase in the intensity of the storms as well," says the Environment California Research & Policy Center.

Various environmental groups recently sued the U.S. Forest Service in the hopes of achieving a goal: more potential wilderness area.

In its final snow survey of the year, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) trekked up into the mountains near Sacramento on Tuesday to check on our "frozen reservoirs."

There is some light at the end of the tunnel. Of the 70 state parks on the closure hit list, 11 have been temporarily saved, and there are currently 24 in rescue negotiations, according to a list from the state.

A new bill would designate 64,000 acres of Los Padres National Forest as wilderness, among other things, but attached provisions would allow more off-road vehicle areas and more.

The Inyo, Sierra and Sequoia national forests are among the first public lands that will undergo a proposed national forest planning rule that will dictate how they manage activities like hiking, hunting, road construction and mining.

Imagine a new Joshua Tree National Park: Operated by a Border Patrol that allows unregulated building of roads, ignores environmental standards, and shuts down access in the name of national security.

As the country comes to grips with an ongoing recession and massive unemployment, the early sales and a bad economy are sparking contrasting responses.