A wilderness, in contrast with those areas where man and his own works dominate the landscape, is hereby recognized as an area where the earth and its community of life are untrammeled by man, where man himself is a visitor who does not remain. An area of wilderness is further defined to mean in this Act an area of undeveloped Federal land retaining its primeval character and influence, without permanent improvements or human habitation, which is protected and managed so as to preserve its natural conditions and which (1) generally appears to have been affected primarily by the forces of nature, with the imprint of man's work substantially unnoticeable; (2) has outstanding opportunities for solitude or a primitive and unconfined type of recreation; (3) has at least five thousand acres of land or is of sufficient size as to make practicable its preservation and use in an unimpaired condition; and (4) may also contain ecological, geological, or other features of scientific, educational, scenic, or historical value.
| Wilderness is America's Legacy | |
| Wilderness is an indispensable part of the American story. Native Americans depended on the bounty of wilderness for survival and held Earth and its wild places sacred. As Europeans arrived and settled the continent, they viewed the vast wilderness as places to be conquered. Lewis and Clark were inspired by the untamed beauty and foresaw how then-wild country would contribute to a burgeoning nation's wealth. Over time, wild lands were developed at an alarming rate to meet the demands of an exploding population. The essential wildness of America was tamed and transformed and, in some cases, lost. As Americans realized that the long-term health and welfare of the nation was at risk, a vision for conservation emerged. |  |
| President Lyndon Johnson signs the Wilderness Act of 1964. In 1964, our nation's leaders formally acknowledged the immediate and lasting benefits of wild places to the human spirit and fabric of our nation. That year, in a nearly-unanimous vote, Congress enacted landmark legislation that permanently protected some of the most natural and undisturbed places in America. The Wilderness Act established the National Wilderness Preservation System to "…secure for the American people of present and future generations the benefits of an enduring resource of wilderness." These areas are sources of clean water and air and protect habitats for wildlife. One who visits wilderness finds exceptional scenic beauty, natural sounds, and opportunities for challenging recreation, inspiration, rejuvenation and solitude. For many Americans, just knowing wilderness is there inspires pride and a sense of responsibility. Wilderness indeed forged the American ethic of self-reliance, personal responsibility, individual freedom, hard work, faith and the belief that anything is possible. As highlighted in the above paragraph, in 1964, our Congress nearly voted unanimously(99 Yea/1 No) in celebratory bi-partisan fashion to pass this truly American act of foresight and renewal. Why has our current generation of Republican Conservatives abandoned what should be their birthright core principle? With the root word of CONSERVATION being "CONSERVE"................Why have the leaders and rank & file of the Republican Party become known as the Party of "DRILL BABY DRILL"? David Jenkins, the Government Affairs Director of REP AMERICA, an organization focused on resurrecting the Republican Party's great conervation tradition states that it comes down to the fact that "material wealth" has clouded what once was a strong environmental ethic of mid 20th Century Conservatives. For whatever good Ronald Reagan did during his time in power, the Republican President and his business allies decided to paint those who supported open space, clean air and water and biological diversity as enemies of economic prosperity. How sad that half of our Governmental leaders are mired down in this falsehood.................You cannot despoil your nest and expect to raise healthy offspring over the long term. Every species knows this intrinsically except us human animals. Just like the kids in Vermont in my previous Post who are planting trees...........one tree at a time..........and persevering in their efforts,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Us Adults must stay the course, educate our "doughting thomas" friends and neighbors that one is not a "sissy"..............one is not unmanly..............one is not anti-business when one favors and supports restoring and optimizing our"nest" so that we and our descendants and all of our fellow-species persist and thrive in the millenia ahead! If we are truly for family values and protecting our Country from all enemies, then we have to be for protecting our open spaces and wildlife. I call on all fiscal conservatives to conserve our Biodiversity!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! click below link for David jenkins views on this topic http://www.scribd.com/full/29685878?access_key=key-1k5j3pqx34umrikiq986 |  |
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