Monte Matheson, an angler and hunter from Port Orford, Oregon, is working with Campaign for America’s Wilderness to protect areas like the Copper-Salmon proposed wilderness. Photo by Barbara I. Bond, courtesy of the Campaign for America's Wilderness.

William and Flora Hewlett have long recognized the importance of preserving the environment, making it a cornerstone of their Foundation's work. Four decades later, their foresight is evident as the world continues to face complex environmental problems. Questions of greenhouse gases and climate change, land and water conservation, energy efficiency and clean transportation, all demand the world's attention.

One particular focus of the Hewlett Foundation's Environment Program is the American West: vast and majestic, but facing unprecedented development pressures. Another focus is global warming, arguably today's largest environmental concern. Large-scale greenhouse gas reductions are achievable, but require strong public leadership. And residents of low-income communities, especially, are feeling the effects of poor environmental quality.

The Program pursues these goals by supporting public policy development and advocacy. It also engages influential groups that care about the environment but have not always been part of the traditional environmental movement, such as hunters, anglers, ranchers, Latinos, and Native Americans.