What is Wilderness?

Study Notes

Wilderness is a region or tract of land that has not been disturbed or developed by humans.
There is no sign of humans in the wilderness, including roads, buildings, pipelines, or powerlines.

Wilderness areas are untamed and some of the last completely natural and untouched areas left in the world.
They provide resources for a variety of plants and animals.
Wilderness areas are protected from any development, such as roads, buildings, or farms.

The Wilderness Act was signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964.
The bill was written by Howard Zahniser, the executive director of the Wilderness Society.
The Wilderness Act allows for parts of the United States to be designated wilderness areas.
The National Wilderness Preservation System was created from the Wilderness Act, giving long-term protection to wilderness areas in their natural state.
There are 757 areas and over 109 million acres of land in 44 states and Puerto Rico that are protected by the Wilderness Act and designated as wilderness.

Wilderness areas provide clean water through natural filtration.
They provide excellent wildlife habitats, promoting biodiversity and allowing endangered species to thrive.
Wilderness areas serve as natural laboratories for science and education.
They provide opportunities for recreation, such as hiking, fishing, and horseback riding, without the use of mechanized transportation.

Water and air pollution from surrounding cities, industrial, and agricultural activities affect the native species.
Excess greenhouse gases in the atmosphere from sources such as farms, automobile exhaust, and industrial emissions are a concern.

Millions of people visit wilderness areas every year.
Examples of wilderness areas in the USA include:
- Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, Minnesota
- Sandia Mountain Wilderness, New Mexico
- Alpine Lakes Wilderness, Washington