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Jacob Jones

Steam on the Spokane River.

OUTLANDER serves as a weekly round up of Inland Northwest outdoor recreation and natural resources news. This feature will highlight a wide variety of issues and events, ranging from camping stories to national environmental disputes. We’ll also try to include some scenic photos. Feel free to pass along suggestions or curiosities. The Inlander looks forward to sharing and celebrating the Great Outdoors.

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The Wilderness Act, which allows Congress to set aside public land to protect it from development, turned 50 years old Wednesday. Here are just a few examples of how outdoors lovers marked the anniversary:

Idaho newspapers put together a joint series of stories on the importance and impact of the Wilderness Act, discussing the influence of Sen. Frank Church, maintenance challenges and possible expansions. (Idaho Statesman/Idaho Press-Tribune)

The Smithsonian Museum of Natural History put together a photo exhibit and will run an aerial footage documentary next week. (Smithsonian)

The New York Times posted its original story on the passage of the Act in 1964. (NYT)

And here's a resource for finding all of the wilderness areas in Washington and other states. (Wilderness.net)

In response to recent wolf attacks, a sheep rancher in Stevens County has moved his 1,800 sheep off of the grazing land where the attacks occurred. Wildlife officials say at least two dozen sheep deaths have been linked to the nearby Huckleberry pack. On Tuesday, the rancher issued his first statement on the issue, calling for the "removal" of the entire pack. (SCCA)

The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation has pushed to establish 2,893 acres of protected elk habitat along the eastern side of the Cascade Mountains near Yakima. (RMEF)

The Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife has launched a revamped fishing website with new information on saltwater fishing. (WDFW)

And what happens when a political blogger takes a year off from social media. (Outside)