Some of the wildest, most pristine forests in the United States are under threat. In June 2025, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced its intent to rescind the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule, a cornerstone of conservation that protects more than 58 million acres of national forest land from road-building and large-scale development. These areas are vital for biodiversity, climate adaptation, and the long-term health of our forests. Roadless Rule remains one of the most forward-thinking conservation policies in U.S. history.

The defense of roadless areas is not only a North American issue. Inspired by the U.S. Roadless Rule, the SCB Europe Region’s Policy Committee launched the Roadless Area Initiative in 2006/2007, highlighting the value of intact, undeveloped lands for biodiversity conservation at the global level, in both the scientific and policy arena. This initiative developed into a cross-regional activity that, in addition to the Europe Region, to date includes the North America Region and the Latin America and Caribbean Region. The initiative has also inspired the Greek roadless legislation.

We clearly supported the maintenance of the USA Roadless Rule, by collaborating with our colleagues of SCB North America Region, taking part in the public consultation process of the government, and providing scientific arguments against the rescission of the Rule.

Δείτε εδώ the press release of SCB:  SCB North America Works to Protect Roadless Forests.

Δείτε εδώ the reaction of the Southern Environmental Law Center. Why we can’t afford to lose our public lands protection

And the related article in the Guardian

The video spot Roadfree says it all in 2 minutes!

Figure: Tongass national forest in Alaska has the largest area covered by the roadless rule introduced by President Bill Clinton in 1999. Photograph: The Washington Post/Getty Images (Source: Guardian article)