A wilderness, in contrast with those areas where man and his own works dominate the landscape, is hereby recognized as an area where the earth and its community of life are untrammeled by man, where man himself is a visitor who does not remain.
– The definition of a wilderness area, eligible for protection under the Wilderness Act as written originally by Howard Zahniser.
The Wilderness Act was originally signed into law on September 3, 1964 and it is the premier piece of conservation legislation in the United States. It provides a way for the general population to work with congress to nominate unique and beloved wilderness areas and protect them at an especially high level. It has also protected, to date, more than 110 million acres in the United States. These protected areas also provide crucial habitat for native species, including threatened and endangered species.
In celebration of the Wilderness Act, get out and enjoy your favorite wild place!
Check out The Wilderness Society for more information about the Wilderness Act’s 50th Anniversary and wild places across the country!
No Stone Unturned 