Nearly two hundred enthusiastic people attended the first Appalachian Wildlands Preserve Conference run by the Maryland Alliance for Greenway Improvement and Conservation (MAGIC) on April 7, 2001. Comments like "the best bunch of speakers I’ve every heard" were frequently expressed by attendees. Since the conference took place, letters of appreciation have been arriving from Maryland and adjacent states. They have mentioned things like "It certainly reinforced ideas I've already had about connected our watershed to a larger picture! Your work is most important and thanks for your efforts. I look forward to hearing from you."

The Wildlands Project, headed by Dave Foreman, discussed scientific data that has accumulated over the years showing that when you lose your top predators, remaining wildlife species become unbalanced. Excess populations of small predators are often the result, and these predators are able to destroy the habitat for small animals like songbirds. Overabundant of browse animals can also occur, and the result is an excess consumption of vegetation. We often see this in our area where an overabundant deer population has impacted many habitats. Similar experiences have occurred in Yellowstone Park with an overabundance of Elk, in the jungles of Venezuela with an overabundance of monkeys, and in the kelp beds of the Pacific with an overabundance of sea urchins.

The only solution that’s been found to resolve these wildlife problems is to return the large predators that were killed with enthusiasm when Europeans arrived in the New World. Predator reintroduction has achieved some very positive results out West and similar programs are being considered in the East. The major requirement for predator return is to provide sufficient habitat for these animals, and then permit them to coexist alongside humans. The concept of living with large wild predators has been absent in the East for several hundred years. Overcoming human concerns and prejudices about predators is probably the most difficult task ahead. Dave Foreman describes it as a "humbling" experience when a person realizes they are no longer the largest predator in the forest.

Ed Perry from the US Fish and Wildlife Service presented valuable information on fragmentation of wildlife habitat and how fragmentation destroys viable populations of animals. Ed presented bird population studies as well as studies done on smaller creatures like insects and reptiles. His presentation was loaded with valuable information showing why it’s necessary to retain large unbroken tracts of forests to keep wildlife populations healthy.

Chris Bolgiano described evidence that has accumulated showing cougars still live in the forests of the East. Some irrefutable evidence such as cougar corpses and film footage have been collected. This evidence reveals that cougars have either returned to forests in the East or have always been here. We don’t often see cougar since they are a secretive animal and avoid human contact.

Dave Muhly presented a history of the Appalachians Mountains showing the tremendous diversity of species now and in its history. He described the battles that are taking place to prevent further loss of the Appalachian forests both from pollution and encroachment by mankind. We are losing our forests at a rapid rate, and additional protections are needed if we want to save them. This should be a commitment we make for ourselves and our children.

Dr. Durland Shumway presented information on isolated stands of old growth trees that have been found in the Savage River State Forest of Western Maryland. He included information about artifacts found in these forests and endangered species found living within them. The trees in Savage River State Forest are some of the oldest to be found north of the Smokey Mountains, and they are extremely valuable for research work. They provide physical evidence of the frequency of fires in ancient forests, and can show many other historical aspects of the forest. The Sierra Club has embarked on a forest campaign to provide special protection for these ancient and valuable trees in the Savage River State Forest.

The Wildlands Project and the Wilderness Society displayed maps they have been developing showing ecologically important lands on the East coast and in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. By examining forest cover, population density, road density, and the status of existing protected lands, maps are being developed to show the best wildlife habitat left in these areas, and to indicate where additional habitat should be acquired. These maps can serve as guides to the acquisition of an Appalachian Wildlands Preserve which will provide the habitat needed to sustain healthy populations of plants and animals.