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 for:
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From major urban areas to rural towns, communities around the country are kept healthy by water that begins flowing in wilderness areas and by air filtered by these wild ecosystems.
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Research consistently demonstrates that protected wilderness areas stimulate economic growth in nearby communities through recreation and tourism and by attracting new residents seeking to live near these preserved landscapes.
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Large, intact natural landscapes can buffer communities and industries from the impacts of flooding, drought, and wildfires.
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The adaptation and survival of wildlife—from game animals to endangered species—depend on critical habitats and migration corridors kept intact by wilderness areas. With biodiversity in decline, wild places provide a refuge.
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Our diverse system of wilderness areas ensures that present and future generations of Americans can hike, camp, fish, hunt, and more in awe-inspiring natural landscapes. These outdoor experiences aren’t just fun—they also support physical and mental health.
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Many Americans have deep familial, cultural, and spiritual ties to wild places. Wilderness designation strengthens these connections, conserves this heritage for all, and inspires a sense of wonder and responsibility.
Photo Credit: Steve Howe