What is Wilderness
In 1964, the Congress of the United States took a far-sighted action by passing the Wilderness Act, legally designating certain federal lands as Wilderness. Congress preserved these lands: “…in order to assure that an increasing population, accompanied by expanding settlement and growing mechanization does not occupy and modify all areas within the United States and its possessions, leaving no lands designated for preservation and protection in their natural condition” (The Wilderness Act). The Wilderness Act prohibits roads, mining, timber cutting and motorized vehicles in these areas.
Values and Benefits of Wilderness
Wilderness has many values. Recognizing these diverse and unique values opens a world of understanding about the natural environment. Preserving Wilderness may someday be seen through eyes of historians as the most important contribution societies can make to the health of the global environment.
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