What's up with the Wilderness Act?

Ever seen one of these signs and wondered what makes Wilderness Areas so special?

Designated Wilderness Areas have a different set of regulations than other categories of public land. They can be located on NPS, BLM, or USFS managed land.

Wilderness areas are located all across the country and especially concentrated in the western states.

Howard Zahniser, director of the Wilderness Society, drafted the first version of the bill alongside other notable environmentalists, including Bob Marshall, Harvey Broome, Sigurd F. Olson, Mardy and Olaus Murie, Wallace Stegner, and more.

The Wilderness Act was a product of its time, when debate between industrialists and conservationists had reached a fever pitch. As evidenced by our current political climate, this discourse is by no means confined to the past.

Wilderness Areas are far more than just places for us to enjoy recreating! Understanding the context behind their creation helps us appreciate their existence and advocate for their protection.