What is Wilderness?

 

"Wilderness is the raw material out of which man has hammered the artifact called civilization" ~ Aldo Leopold, Sand County Almanac

 

Wilderness is an area where nature dominates; a place remains substantially unchanged by human use.  There are not buildings or roads and  travel into wilderness areas are restricted to the most primitive methods, hiking and horseback.  Rugged trails provide the only access, and signs and other evidence of human intervention are kept to a minimum.  No motorized or mechanized vehicles are allowed.

 

Preserving wilderness may someday be seen through the eyes of historians as the most important contribution societies can make to the health of the global environment.

 

Wilderness Act of 1964

  • Gave Congress power to designate wilderness areas, protecting some of America's most beautiful natural areas from development or resource extraction.
  • 9.1 million acres of wilderness in 1964, today a total of 644 wilderness areas encompassing 106 million acres.
  • First translation of wilderness policy, not just an idea or philosophy.
  • Desolation Valley Primitive Area became Desolation Wilderness in 1969 because of this important legislative act.
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Wilderness Character

The mandate of the Wilderness Act is to preserve the character of each area in the National Wilderness Preservation System.  Wilderness character, like personal character, is comprised of more than just physical features; it encompasses both tangible and intangible qualities.

 

Preserving wilderness character is the key to keeping alive the meaning of the wilderness in America.

 

Some tangible components of wilderness character include the presence of native wildlife at naturally occurring population levels; lack of human structures, roads, motor vehicles or mechanized equipment; lack of crowding or large groups; few or no human "improvements" for visitor conveniences; and little or no sign of biophysical damage caused by visitor use, such as trampled or denuded ground.

 

Some intangible components of wilderness character include outstanding opportunities for reflection, freedom; risk, adventure, discovery, discovery and mystery; places where self reliance and safety are a personal responsibility; untrammeled, wild and self willed land not for sale; opportunities to experience our humanity as connected to the larger community of life; places that forever provide solitude and respite from modern civilization, its technologies, conventions, and conveniences.

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Benefits of Wilderness

  • Reservoirs of biological diversity: a place where natural processes haven't been corrupted by mankind and his manipulations.  Plant and animal species have been allowed to grow and flourish as nature predicts.
  • Scientific value: because the natural environment is relatively unaffected by man, studies can be done comparing natural, wilderness condition with those areas that have been heavily impacted by man.
  • Watersheds: wilderness provides clean water sources.
  • Spiritual and aesthetic value: many people visit wilderness areas to feel connection with nature that they don't get anywhere else.  Many people feel a sense of peace and tranquility in wilderness that is almost spiritual.  They also visit wilderness to view the magnificent natural beauty of the area.
  • Recreational value: many visit wilderness to climb a peak or fish a lake, deriving great pleasure in the activity of their choice.  For some, it's getting together with friends and having a fun day together.
  • Opportunity of solitude: wilderness gives people a place where they can "get away from it all" from the noise and pollution of the city, get away from the technologies and hurried pace of life.  Many like to go to wilderness to feel quiet and alone, to have the chance for exploration and adventure, to navigate their way off trail to some destination, all by themselves.