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Benefits

The Wilderness Act of 1964 defines Wilderness as lands that may contain ecological, geological, scientific, educational, scenic or historical value. But what about recreation? The act says that Wilderness provides outstanding opportunities for solitude or a primitive and unconfined type of recreation.

Recreational Benefits

Wilderness areas provide excellent recreational opportunities for all America's citizens and, by using Leave No Trace techniques, people ensure that they recreate in the spirit of wilderness. Research shows that more than 12 million people visit Wilderness each year on their own or with a guide to hike, backpack, camp, climb mountains, ride horses, ski, raft, canoe, take pictures, view wildlife or stargaze. Hunting and fishing are also important recreational activities that can be enjoyed in most Wilderness areas. In fact, a 2004 study of big game harvest found that Wilderness not only provides critical habitat for game species, but many of the nation's best quality hunting areas and longest seasons are found in Wilderness and roadless lands. In short, most types of recreational uses are allowed in Wilderness. Prohibited uses include mechanical transport or motorized equipment, such as motorboats, cars, trucks, off-road vehicles, bicycles and snowmobiles (exceptions include wheelchairs and subsistence activities).

Ecological Benefits

Ecology is the study of the interrelationships between organisms and their environment and how natural processes like floods, fire and predation affect these relationships. As John Muir once said, "When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the universe." More and more, we realize that we are part of an interconnected "web of life," and that our survival may ultimately depend on the survival of natural areas like Wilderness. Wilderness plays a significant role in the overall health of ecosystems. Natural disturbances like floods or fires maintain natural processes, systems and patterns. Few places are left where we allow rivers to flood and trees to burn in natural cycles. Preserving Wilderness may someday be seen through the eyes of historians as the most important contribution societies can make to the health of the global environment.

Wilderness improves the quality of our air because trees and other plants produce oxygen. This helps to decrease the "greenhouse effect" where heat is trapped by the Earth's atmosphere, which contains increasing amounts of carbon dioxide due to human activities.

Many communities in states such as California, Virginia and Idaho use water that starts flowing in Wilderness. In fact, some Wilderness areas were designated in order to preserve healthy watersheds for current and future generations.

Not only does Wilderness protect the air we breathe and the water we drink, it also protects the wildlife we cherish. Millions of birds use Wilderness as nesting and wintering grounds, and resting places when migrating. Many animals, such as the wolf, bear, moose, and elk make their homes in Wilderness. Wilderness helps maintain the genetic material needed to provide a continuing diversity of plant and animal life. The thought that one might glimpse a wolf or a grizzly bear around the next bend humbles us before the power of nature and invigorates our spirit of adventure. Without the space and isolation that Wilderness offers, these and other wildlife species could not survive. Without wildlife to pollinate, fertilize and distribute seeds and nutrients, Wilderness wouldn't exist. Wilderness allows the natural cycling of birth, life, and death for thousands of animal species in their natural environments. Their presence helps us be more aware of the connection that all living things share, and that we are all a part of the circle of life.

Geological Values

The Wilderness Act specifically states that areas may be set aside for their geological significance. Wilderness preserves valuable natural features including caves, volcanoes, canyons, geysers, mountains, fossils, glaciers, and beaches. Examples of such areas include the Phillip Burton, Badlands, Shenandoah, Fire Island, and Indian Peaks Wildernesses. These and other "geological" Wildernesses help us discover the history of our planet, see how present ecological systems compare to past ones, and anticipate what future changes may occur.

Scientific Benefits

Wilderness is a natural laboratory where scientists can study our natural world. In Wilderness, scientists can collect data over time so they can learn how this natural world is changing. We know that people can rapidly make changes to landscapes, and that these changes affect the environment, but we often wonder what rate is a "natural" rate of change, without human influence. What are the natural rates and recurrence intervals of landslides, earthquakes, sea level change, fire or flooding? What are the natural rates of change in air and water quality and plant and animal populations? How do these natural rates of change in Wilderness differ from similar changes in our towns and cities? Studies that answer these questions help us understand what we need to do to ensure the future health of our environment, both in Wilderness and where we live.

Educational Benefits

Wilderness is a living classroom from which knowledge about ourselves and our world are lessons waiting to be learned. Wilderness provides a unique setting for teaching ecosystem stewardship as well as science, literature, art, history, civics, outdoor skills and other subjects. Lessons learned by paddling down a rushing river or by using a map and compass to travel cross-country can help students develop self-reliance and improve self-esteem. Working together as a team can foster great achievement and help to instill the importance of group cooperation and collaboration in attaining personal goals. By removing ourselves from fast-paced, developed society, we learn to reconnect with ourselves and with the land.

However, the educational benefits of Wilderness reach beyond achieving personal goals or receiving personal gains as a result of Wilderness experiences. Students learn how their actions, behaviors and choices affect Wilderness and learn values of humility and restraint. Understanding the relationship Americans have shared with Wilderness in the past helps students explore our current relationship with Wilderness and instills in young stewards an appreciation for land ethics.

Scenic and Aesthetic Values

Wilderness is often associated with expansive natural landscapes, sometimes highlighted by clear blue skies, a radiant sunset, or a dazzling display of stars. While some people will never visit Wilderness, and many will view it only through a car window, anyone can visit Wilderness in photographs or in their mind. From the wind and wave sculpted islands of the Washington Islands Wilderness and the mountain vistas of the Shenandoah Wilderness to the towering heights of Mount McKinley in the Denali Wilderness, magnificent scenery is compelling, awe inspiring and humbling. Drawn initially to grand scenery, we sometimes discover the subtle beauty of the small wonders that add to the big picture. From multi-colored mushrooms to patches of moss, we can find a connection to grand places on a small scale too.

The sudden change from a hot sunny day to a powerful storm exploding in lightning and roaring thunder; the delightful sound of a trickling stream; the feel of bark from a thousand year old Bristlecone pine; the morning light beaming on cliffs and ridges; a glassy lake reflecting a peak. These are visions and moments we cherish, whether seen in books or on TV or with our own eyes. We are enchanted by nature, by things we don't control. The literature of Wilderness experience frequently cites the inspirational and spiritual values of Wilderness.

Part of the beauty of Wilderness is also in what we don't see or hear. Natural darkness allows us to see stars that we wouldn't normally see even in the darkest areas of our cities. In the natural quiet of Wilderness, we can enjoy solitude, the singularity of self that affords us the perspective to reflect upon ourselves and our place in the world. Solitude affords us the quiet to enjoy the wholeness of self, yet heighten our awareness of our connection to life around us. Wilderness visitors are inspired and humbled by the feeling of being part of something larger than themselves.

Historical and Cultural Values

Much of the history of our great nation lies within the boundaries of Wilderness. Our American values of freedom, ingenuity, and independence have been affected by the wild environments from which we created our society. Wilderness is a place where we can connect with the past and where we can be reminded of how the American frontier helped to shape our present-day culture. Cave paintings and burial grounds tell us a story about Native Americans who lived here before Europeans settled the frontier. Old cabins or homestead sites portray the hardships of early settlers. Cultural and archeological sites found in Wilderness can provide a more complete picture of human history and culture including indigenous peoples, conquests, colonialism and independence. These important historic resources represent the very roots of our American existence.