"Environmentalists"

Strange wording, but I suppose they just can't let go of the concept that the evil Sierra Club might be behind all thiss after all:

"Early speculation was that the fires were set by environmentalists who believed the houses were a threat to a nearby bog. But no evidence has been found to support that theory, police said."

I think the media should agree to a particular set of terms to describe this sort of idealism-evoked vandalism. "Eco-terrorism," though flashy, evokes 9-11 and pizzerias in Israel. The ELF is not that. "Environmentalists" is way too broad and would include the Sierra Club, and they ain't included in that either (or at least shouldn't be unless you're Fox News). So, what to call it? Direct action?