Questions and Answers
What is the primary characteristic of a wilderness area?
What is the purpose of the Wilderness Act?
Who wrote the Wilderness Act?
What is the result of wilderness areas being protected by the Wilderness Act?
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What is one benefit of wilderness areas to humans?
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Where can wilderness areas be found?
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How many areas and acres of land are protected by the Wilderness Act?
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What is one of the main benefits of wilderness areas for scientific research?
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What is the main purpose of the 'Leave no Trace' policy in wilderness areas?
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What is a major concern for wilderness areas due to their proximity to cities and towns?
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What is a unique feature of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness?
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What is a common activity enjoyed by visitors to the Alpine Lakes Wilderness?
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What is a benefit of wilderness areas for biodiversity?
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Why is it important for visitors to wilderness areas to spread their visits throughout the week?
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What is a common species seen in the Sandia Mountain Wilderness?
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Study Notes
What is Wilderness?
- Wilderness is a region or tract of land that has not been disturbed or developed by humans.
- It has no signs of human presence, including roads, buildings, pipelines, or powerlines.
- Wilderness areas are untamed, natural, and untouched areas that provide resources for various plants and animals.
The Wilderness Act
- Signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964.
- Written by Howard Zahniser, executive director of the Wilderness Society.
- Allows for parts of the United States to be designated as wilderness areas.
- Created the National Wilderness Preservation System, which provides long-term protection to wilderness areas in their natural state.
- Protects 757 areas and over 109 million acres of land in 44 states and Puerto Rico.
Benefits of the Wilderness Act
- Provides clean water by naturally filtering out pollutants.
- Supports biodiversity and habitats for plants and animals.
- Serves as natural laboratories for scientific studies.
- Offers natural outdoor classrooms for education and recreation.
- Allows for outdoor activities like hiking, fishing, and horseback riding.
Concerns for Wilderness
- Water and air pollution from nearby cities and industrial activities.
- Effect of greenhouse gases on air and water quality.
- Measures must be taken to protect wilderness areas from these impacts.
Wilderness Areas in the U.S.
- Millions of people visit wilderness areas every year.
- Visitors can enjoy nature through various activities, from short visits to multi-day backpacking trips.
- Examples of wilderness areas include:
- Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, Minnesota.
- Sandia Mountain Wilderness, New Mexico.
- Alpine Lakes Wilderness, Washington.
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Description
Understand the concept of wilderness, its characteristics, and importance as untouched natural areas providing resources for plants and animals.