Wilderness is the land that was - wild land beyond the frontier…land that shaped the growth of our nation and the character of its people.
Wilderness is the land that is - rare, wild places where one can retreat from civilization, reconnect with the Earth, and find healing, meaning and significance.
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Click on one of the topics below to explore these other important aspects of Wilderness:
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Wilderness is an indispensable part of American history. Native Americans depended on the bounty of wildlands for survival and held Earth and its wild places as sacred. The great western explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark were inspired by the untamed beauty of wild places that became the forge upon which our distinctive American national character was created. After just 200 years from the time of Lewis and Clark, the essential wildness of America had virtually disappeared. As Americans realized that the long-term health and welfare of the nation were at risk, a vision for conservation emerged.
In 1964 our nation's leaders formally acknowledged the immediate and lasting benefits of wild places to the human spirit and fabric of our nation. That year, in a nearly unanimous vote, Congress enacted landmark legislation that permanently protected some of the most natural and undisturbed places in America. The Wilderness Act of 1964 established the National Wilderness Preservation System, the system of all America's wilderness areas, to "secure for the American people of present and future generations the benefits of an enduring resource of wilderness."
The United States was the first country in the world to define and designate wilderness areas through law. Subsequently, countries around the world have protected areas modeled after the Wilderness Act. Wilderness is part of our history and heritage and is passed as a legacy to future generations. Indispensable to the American past, the legacy that is wilderness will remain indispensable to the American future.
When did the idea of Wilderness come about?
 People have held various perspectives of Wilderness throughout history. During European settlement of America, Wilderness was something to be feared. One settler in the early 1600s stated, "Wilderness is a dark and dismal place where all manner of wild beasts dash about uncooked." Three centuries later, an American author stated, "[wilderness] is the ultimate source of health-terrestrial and human."
Where are Wilderness areas found?
 While some people believe that Wilderness is a forested backyard or a park down the street, Congress defined Wilderness as much more than that and designated specific areas across the United States to be protected as Wilderness. Wilderness areas are found in 44 states and Puerto Rico.
How do I know if what I've heard about Wilderness is true?
 Many misconceptions exist about Wilderness. Some people think that Wilderness is a "lock-up" of land that locks people out. Others think many popular recreational activities are prohibited in Wilderness. Still others think that Wilderness areas are found only in big western states or in Alaska. In fact, none of these statements is true.
What benefits do Wilderness areas provide and why are they of value to Americans today?
 Wilderness contributes to the ecologic, economic and social health and well being of our citizens, our country and our world. The benefits Wilderness areas provide are as diverse as the areas themselves and are highly valued. Recognizing these diverse values opens a world of understanding about our natural world. In addition to the incredible recreational opportunities available in Wilderness, Wilderness preservation has many other important values. The Wilderness Act specified that Wilderness "may also contain ecological, geological, or other features of scientific, education, scenic, or historical value."
What are the threats to Wilderness?
 The value of wilderness depends upon the degree to which it remains undeveloped-a contrast to the highly developed world in which most of us live. However, designating areas as wilderness does not ensure sanctuary from events that threaten wild character. Even the ecosystems in these most protected of public lands are threatened. Wilderness is vulnerable to threats from both inside and outside of its boundaries. The demand for economic growth and a growing population exert significant pressures on wilderness. Many of these pressures are the same threats that other public lands face: overuse, fire suppression, invasive species, pollution, and lack of public awareness.
What is the Wilderness Act?
 The Wilderness Act was passed by Congress in 1964 and continues to be the guiding piece of legislation for all Wilderness areas. The Act describes Wilderness as follows:
- "...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..." Section 2(c)
- "...shall be devoted to the public purposes of recreation, scenic, scientific, educational, conservation and historic use." Section 4(b)
What other laws affect Wilderness?
 Although the Wilderness Act is the single piece of guiding legislation for all wilderness areas, many other laws affect wilderness. Some laws have designated additional wilderness areas, subsequent to those designated under the Wilderness Act. Others guide management, such as the Clean Air Act and the National Environmental Policy Act.
Who wrote the Wilderness Act?
 Freedom is an essential quality of Wilderness and this quality was eloquently captured by Howard Zahniser, author of the Wilderness Act, in selection of the relatively obscure word "untrammeled" to define Wilderness. Many people read the word "untrammeled" as "untrampled," as not stepped on. Yet the word "untrammeled" means something much different. A "trammel" is a net used for catching fish, or a device used to keep horses from walking. To trammel something is to catch, shackle or restrain 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."
Who else has written about Wilderness?
Numerous authors, legislators, politicians, scientists and advocates have written articles, pamphlets, news stories and books about Wilderness and the environment. Reading these works allows people to understand the progression of the Wilderness idea and helps us realize that there are many contributors to this idea.
Who inspired the Wilderness movement in the past and who is inspired by it today?
Many prominent historical figures contributed to what has become the modern wilderness movement. However, today American's still share a special commection to wilderness. Listen to current perspectives on wilderness.
How does an area become designated Wilderness?
Only Congress can designate wilderness; however, just about anyone can recommend wilderness to their elected representatives in Congress. Often these recommendations come from federal land management agencies or citizens, and sometimes they work together to develop a recommendation. Once recommended to Congress, both the House and the Senate must agree on which areas should be designated and their exact boundaries. After the House and Senate agree, the proposal is forwarded to the president to sign into law or veto. Historically, only one veto has occurred: in 1988 by President Ronald Reagan. However, during his administration in 1984, more new wilderness areas were designated than in any other year.
Who manages Wilderness and how is it managed?
Wilderness areas are managed by the four federal land management agencies: Bureau of Land Management, Fish and Wildlife Service, Forest Service and National Park Service.
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