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An artistic rendering ofAmerica's movement westwardinto what was then considered afontier wilderness.

The signing of the WildernessAct into law by PresidentLyndon B. Johnson onSeptember 3, 1964.

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Home > About Wilderness > What Is Wilderness?

What is "Wilderness"?

Wilderness is the land that was - wild land beyond the frontier...land that shaped the growth of ournation and the character of its people. Wilderness is the land that is - rare, wild places where one can retreat from civilization, reconnectwith the Earth, and find healing, meaning and significance.

The Idea of Wilderness

Wilderness is an indispensable part of American history, however, peoplehave held various perspectives of wilderness throughout time. Historicalevents and articles, pamphlets, stories and books authored aboutwilderness and the environment tell us a story of shifting perceptions.During European settlement of America, wilderness was something to befeared. One settler in the early 1600s stated, "Wilderness is a dark and

dismal place where all manner of wild beasts dash about uncooked."

Indeed, early settlers struggled to clear and cultivate natural lands as away of civilizing wild America[1]. In contrast to this utilitarian ideal, threecenturies later, an American author stated, "[wilderness] is the ultimate

source of health-terrestrial and human." Slowly, public views ofwilderness have shifted more towards a protection orientationemphasizing sustainable development and balance and harmony with

nature. More...

Wilderness, by Law

The United States was the first country in the world to define and designate wilderness areas throughlaw. Subsequently, countries around the world have protected areas modeled after the Wilderness Act.In 1964 our nation's leaders formally acknowledged the immediate and lasting benefits of wild places tothe human spirit and fabric of our nation. That year, in a nearly unanimous vote, Congress enactedlandmark legislation that permanently protected some of the most natural and undisturbed places inAmerica. The Wilderness Act is one of the most successful U.S. environmental laws, standing for almost50 years without a substantial amendment, and, as such, continues to be the guiding piece of

legislation for all wilderness areas. The Act describes wilderness asfollows:

"...lands designated for preservation and protection in their natural

condition..." Section 2(a)

"...an area where the earth and its community of life are untrammeled

by man..." Section 2(c)

"...an area of undeveloped Federal land retaining its primeval character

and influence, without permanent improvement or human habitation..."

Section 2(c)

"...generally appears to have been affected primarily by the forces of

nature, with the imprint of man's work substantially unnoticeable..."

Section 2(c)

"...has outstanding opportunities for solitude or a primitive and unconfined type of recreation..."

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Howard Zahniser wrote the firstdraft of the wilderness bill in1956 and shepherded it through65 rewrites and 18 publichearings.

Wilderness areas are found in 44states and Puerto Rico.

"...has outstanding opportunities for solitude or a primitive and unconfined type of recreation..."

Section 2(c)

"...shall be devoted to the public purposes of recreation, scenic, scientific, educational, conservation

and historic use." Section 4(b) More...

The Wilderness Act's Author

Freedom is an essential quality of wilderness and this quality waseloquently captured by Howard Zahniser, author of the Wilderness Act, inselection of the relatively obscure word "untrammeled" to definewilderness. Many people read the word "untrammeled" as "untrampled," asin not stepped on. Yet the word "untrammeled" means something muchdifferent. A "trammel" is a net used for catching fish, or a device used tokeep horses from walking. To trammel something is to catch, shackle orrestrain it. Untrammeled means something is free or unrestrained. So,wilderness areas are to be unconstrained by humans. Zahniser defined"untrammeled" in the Wilderness Act as "not being subject to human

controls and manipulations that hamper the free play of natural forces."

Unfortunately, this primary author and lead proponent of wildernesslegislation died just four months before his bill was signed into law as theWilderness Act. More...

Other Laws Affecting Wilderness

Although the Wilderness Act is the single piece of guiding legislation forall wilderness areas, many other laws affect wilderness. Some laws have

designated additional wilderness areas, subsequent to the initial 54 areas designated under theWilderness Act. Others guide management, such as the Clean Air Act and the National EnvironmentalPolicy Act. More...

Where Wilderness Areas Are Found

The Wilderness Act created the National Wilderness Preservation System,the system that collectively unites all individual wilderness areas. Thissystem encompasses a wide variety of ecosystems throughout the countryincluding swamps in the Southeast, tundra in Alaska, snowcapped peaks inthe Rocky Mountains, hardwoods forests in the Northeast, and deserts inthe Southwest. More...

Wilderness Truths and Misconceptions

Unfortunately, many misconceptions exist about wilderness. Some peoplethink that wilderness is a "lock-up" of land that locks people out. Othersthink many popular recreational activities are prohibited in wilderness.Some people believe that wilderness is a forested backyard or a parkdown the street. Still others think that wilderness areas are found only inbig western states or in Alaska. In fact, none of these statements is true.More...

Benefits of Wilderness

Wilderness contributes to the ecologic, economic and social health and well being of our citizens, ourcountry and our world. The benefits wilderness areas provide are as diverse as the areas themselvesand are highly valued. In addition to providing "outstanding opportunities for solitude or a primitive

and unconfined type of recreation," the Wilderness Act specified that wilderness "may also contain

ecological, geological, or other features of scientific, education, scenic, or historical value." Overall,wilderness areas provide a host of both direct and indirect benefits. More...

Threats to Wilderness

The value of wilderness depends upon the degree to which it remains incontrast to the highly developed world in which most of us live. However,designating areas as wilderness does not ensure sanctuary from eventsthat threaten wild character. Wilderness is vulnerable to threats fromboth inside and outside of its boundaries. The demand for economicgrowth and a growing population exert significant pressures onwilderness. Many of these pressures are the same threats that otherpublic lands face: overuse, fire suppression, invasive species, pollution,and lack of public awareness. More...

Biophysical and social recreationimpacts are often associatedwith overuse. Compacted soiland root exposure can damagecampsites and nearbyvegetation, while crowding canreduce the quality of wildernessexperiences.

America's wilderness areas aremanaged by the Bureau of LandManagement, Fish and WildlifeService, Forest Service andNational Park Service.

and lack of public awareness. More...

Wilderness Movement Leaders

Many prominent historical figures contributed to what has become themodern wilderness movement. However, today Americans still share aspecial connection to wilderness. Those who travel to wilderness or workin wilderness, professionally or as volunteers, tell heartening stories ofinspiration and reward. More...

Designating Wilderness

Only Congress can designate wilderness, however, just about anyone canrecommend wilderness to their elected representatives in Congress. Often

these recommendations come from federal land management agencies or citizens, and sometimesagencies, advocacy groups and ordinary citizens work together to develop recommendations. Oncerecommended to Congress, both the House and the Senate must agree on which areas should bedesignated and their exact boundaries. After the House and Senate agree, the proposal is forwarded tothe president to sign into law or veto. Historically, only one veto has occurred--in 1988 by PresidentRonald Reagan. However, during his administration in 1984, more new wilderness areas weredesignated than in any other year. More...

Wilderness Stewardship

Wilderness management encompasses government activities "within the

constraints of the Wilderness Act, to identify goals and objectives for

designated wilderness areas and the planning, implementation, and

administration of policies and management actions to achieve them"

through the application of "concepts, criteria, guidelines, standards, and

procedures derived from the physical, biological, social, and management

sciences"[2 p. 12]. Ironically, the term is a paradox, with "wilderness"implying the absence of control by man and "management" implying man'scontrol of nature or visitors. Although the prevailing opinion used to be tothat designation alone ensured protection, increasingly management isnecessary to protect wilderness character, making wildernessmanagement a career for many federal land management professionals.More...

References

1. Nash, R. (1982). Wilderness and the American Mind (3rd ed.). New Haven,CT: Yale University Press.

2. Dawson, C. P. & Hendee, J. C. (2009). Wilderness Management: Stewardship and Protection of

Resources and Values (4th ed.). Golden, CO: Fulcrum Publishing.

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