Why wilderness?

Photo Credit: Tim Peterson

What is wilderness?

The National Wilderness Coalition uses ‘wilderness’ to refer to areas where natural processes shape the ebb and flow of life. While these areas may appear undisturbed by humans, many have been stewarded by Indigenous Peoples since time immemorial, and many others were previously transformed by colonial settlement and resource extraction. Wilderness areas are as diverse as the American landscape: from remote islands to towering forests, shortgrass prairies, desert canyons, and vast wetlands.

Wilderness areas hold immense inherent ecological, scientific, recreational, cultural, and spiritual value. Preserving these places and protecting these values is of utmost importance to present and future generations.

The Wilderness Act: A critical tool

Since its inception in 1964, the Wilderness Act has been used by Congress to protect 112 million acres of public lands across 44 states. Although the Act has established 800 individual wilderness areas, these areas encompass only about 5% of lands in the U.S. The National Wilderness Preservation System represents the most protective and comprehensive means to ensure public lands are protected in their natural state for future generations.

The National Wilderness Coalition believes the Wilderness Act is a critical land conservation tool to address the existential, interconnected crises of our times:

  • The Wilderness Act provides legal safeguards for natural areas, preventing development and the loss of wild places

  • Wilderness areas mitigate the impacts of climate change by acting as important carbon sinks.

  • Wilderness preserves critical habitats and enhances species viability by creating natural buffers to allow for adaptation to a changing climate.

  • Wilderness designation connects people to the natural world, promoting wellbeing while fostering a sense of wonder and responsibility for the environment.

Photo Credit: Steve Howe