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The Wilderness Society (United States)
Encyclopedia
The Wilderness Society is an American
organization that is dedicated to protecting America's wilderness. It was formed in 1935 and currently has over 300,000 members and supporters.
, chief of recreation and lands for the Forest Service; Aldo Leopold
, noted wildlife ecologist and later author of A Sand County Almanac
; Robert Sterling Yard
, publicist for the National Park Service
; Benton MacKaye
, the "Father of the Appalachian Trail
"; Ernest Oberholtzer
; Harvey Broome
; Bernard Frank
; and Harold C. Anderson
.
in 1964 under the leadership of Howard Zahniser
, TWS has played a leadership role in virtually every major public land issue since its founding. The group has been a force behind the passage of dozens of wilderness bills, which have enlarged the National Wilderness Preservation System to more than 106 million acres (429,000 km²). The Society is committed to the growth of this system so that America's most significant public wildlands can be protected forever.
The Wilderness Society specializes in the issues involving the 26 percent of the United States that belongs to all Americans: national parks, national forests, national wildlife refuges, and the western areas overseen by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. In partnership with fellow conservation groups and allies in other fields, The Wilderness Society has been active in fighting recent efforts to reduce protection for America’s lands and wildlife. The organization believes that President Theodore Roosevelt
captured the essence of each generation’s conservation duty when he said, “The nation behaves well if it treats the natural resources as assets which it must turn over to the next generation increased, and not impaired, in value.”
One of The Wilderness Society’s strengths is building coalitions consisting of environmental groups, as well as representatives of the faith community, sportsmen, ranchers, scientists, business owners, and others. Another specialty is economic analysis, often enabling conservationists to strengthen the case for land protection by documenting that doing so would pay economic dividends. As global economic realities change, so do the economics of land and wildlife conservation.
With the help of partners, The Wilderness Society played a major role in passage of the:
In addition, the organization:
(NWPS). Its Wilderness Support Center in Durango, Colorado, works hand in hand with grassroots groups in scores of states to develop bills that can be introduced by members of Congress and then help move the legislation through Congress to the White House. Under the Wilderness Act, lands that become part of the NWPS are protected, forever, from new development, commercial activities, and motorized vehicles. This is the highest form of protection for federal lands. As of August 2006, the NWPS contained more than 106 million acres (429,000 km²). Part of TWS’ mission is to educate the public on the values of wilderness. Recreation is only one of the benefits; others include cleaner air and water, high-quality wildlife habitat, and the medicines for tomorrow, many of which will be derived from natural substances.
left office in early 2001. The rule seeks to conserve unprotected wildlands in our national forests by preventing most commercial logging and road construction. The act solidified Clinton's reputation as a great environmental president. At issue are 58.5 million acres (236,000 km²), located in 42 states, but primarily in the West. Within 24 hours of taking office, President Bush’s appointees began their campaign, with the timber industry, to undo this new rule. In May 2005, the Bush administration repealed the Roadless Rule, replacing it with a process that allows governors to petition the Forest Service for protection of the national forest roadless lands within their states, but giving the federal government the power to reject the petitions. The states of California, Oregon, New Mexico, and Washington successfully challenged the Bush roadless rule, resulting in reinstatement of the Clinton rule in 2006.
, named for photographer and conservationist Ansel Adams
, is awarded to a current or former federal official who has been a fervent advocate of conservation. The Robert Marshall Award, the Society's most prestigious award, is named in honor of one of its founders, and its first recipient was Sigurd F. Olson
in 1981.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
organization that is dedicated to protecting America's wilderness. It was formed in 1935 and currently has over 300,000 members and supporters.
Founding
The society was incorporated on January 21, 1935. The eight founders were Bob MarshallBob Marshall (wilderness activist)
Robert "Bob" Marshall was an American forester, writer and wilderness activist. The son of wealthy constitutional lawyer and conservationist Louis Marshall, Bob Marshall developed a love for the outdoors as a young child...
, chief of recreation and lands for the Forest Service; Aldo Leopold
Aldo Leopold
Aldo Leopold was an American author, scientist, ecologist, forester, and environmentalist. He was a professor at the University of Wisconsin and is best known for his book A Sand County Almanac , which has sold over two million copies...
, noted wildlife ecologist and later author of A Sand County Almanac
A Sand County Almanac
A Sand County Almanac: And Sketches Here and There is a 1949 non-fiction book by American ecologist, forester, and environmentalist Aldo Leopold. Describing the land around the author's home in Sauk County, Wisconsin, the collection of essays advocate Leopold's idea of a "land ethic", or a...
; Robert Sterling Yard
Robert Sterling Yard
Robert Sterling Yard was an American writer, journalist, and wilderness activist. Born in Haverstraw, New York, Yard graduated from Princeton University and spent the first twenty years of his career in the editing and publishing business...
, publicist for the National Park Service
National Park Service
The National Park Service is the U.S. federal agency that manages all national parks, many national monuments, and other conservation and historical properties with various title designations...
; Benton MacKaye
Benton MacKaye
Benton MacKaye was an American forester, planner and conservationist. He was born in Stamford, Connecticut; his father was actor and dramatist Steele MacKaye. After studying forestry at Harvard University , Benton later taught there for several years. He joined a number of Federal bureaus and...
, the "Father of the Appalachian Trail
Appalachian Trail
The Appalachian National Scenic Trail, generally known as the Appalachian Trail or simply the AT, is a marked hiking trail in the eastern United States extending between Springer Mountain in Georgia and Mount Katahdin in Maine. It is approximately long...
"; Ernest Oberholtzer
Ernest Oberholtzer
Ernest Carl Oberholtzer was an American explorer, author and conservationist.Nicknamed "Ober", he was born and raised in Davenport, Iowa, but he lived most of his adult life in Minnesota. Oberholtzer attended Harvard University and received a bachelor of arts degree, but left after one year of...
; Harvey Broome
Harvey Broome
Harvey Benjamin Broome was an American lawyer, writer and conservationist. A native of Knoxville, Tennessee, Broome was a founding member of The Wilderness Society, for which he served as president from 1957 until his death in 1968, and played a key role in the establishment of the Great Smoky...
; Bernard Frank
Bernard Frank (wilderness activist)
Bernard Frank was an American forester and wilderness activist. He is known for being one of the eight founding members of The Wilderness Society....
; and Harold C. Anderson
Harold C. Anderson
Harold C. Anderson was an American accountant and wilderness activist. A prominent member of the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club in the Washington D.C. area from its inception, he was also a co-founder of The Wilderness Society....
.
Achievements
In addition to helping establish the National Wilderness Preservation SystemNational Wilderness Preservation System
The National Wilderness Preservation System of the United States protects federally managed land areas designated for preservation in their natural condition. It was established by the Wilderness Act upon the signature of President Lyndon B. Johnson on September 3, 1964...
in 1964 under the leadership of Howard Zahniser
Howard Zahniser
Howard Clinton Zahniser was an American environmental activist. Zahniser is noted for being the primary author of the Wilderness Act of 1964....
, TWS has played a leadership role in virtually every major public land issue since its founding. The group has been a force behind the passage of dozens of wilderness bills, which have enlarged the National Wilderness Preservation System to more than 106 million acres (429,000 km²). The Society is committed to the growth of this system so that America's most significant public wildlands can be protected forever.
The Wilderness Society specializes in the issues involving the 26 percent of the United States that belongs to all Americans: national parks, national forests, national wildlife refuges, and the western areas overseen by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. In partnership with fellow conservation groups and allies in other fields, The Wilderness Society has been active in fighting recent efforts to reduce protection for America’s lands and wildlife. The organization believes that President Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt was the 26th President of the United States . He is noted for his exuberant personality, range of interests and achievements, and his leadership of the Progressive Movement, as well as his "cowboy" persona and robust masculinity...
captured the essence of each generation’s conservation duty when he said, “The nation behaves well if it treats the natural resources as assets which it must turn over to the next generation increased, and not impaired, in value.”
One of The Wilderness Society’s strengths is building coalitions consisting of environmental groups, as well as representatives of the faith community, sportsmen, ranchers, scientists, business owners, and others. Another specialty is economic analysis, often enabling conservationists to strengthen the case for land protection by documenting that doing so would pay economic dividends. As global economic realities change, so do the economics of land and wildlife conservation.
With the help of partners, The Wilderness Society played a major role in passage of the:
- Wilderness ActWilderness ActThe Wilderness Act of 1964 was written by Howard Zahniser of The Wilderness Society. It created the legal definition of wilderness in the United States, and protected some 9 million acres of federal land. The result of a long effort to protect federal wilderness, the Wilderness Act was signed...
(1964) - Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (1968)
- National Trails System Act (1968)
- National Forest Management Act (1976)
- Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation ActAlaska National Interest Lands Conservation ActThe Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act was a United States federal law passed in 1980 by the U.S. Congress and signed into law by President Jimmy Carter on December 2 of that year....
(1980) - Tongass Timber Reform Act (1990)
- California Desert Protection Act (1994)
- National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act (1997)
In addition, the organization:
- Developed the first maps of remaining old-growth forests in the Pacific Northwest, showing for the first time the extent to which this priceless resource had been lost and helping to kick off a nationwide campaign to preserve the ancient forests of the Pacific Northwest;
- Helped add millions of acres of wildlands to local, state, and federal parks, forests, and refuges through congressional appropriations from the Land and Water Conservation Fund;
- Produced the first scientifically valid assessment of the status and range of Pacific salmon stocks in California, Oregon, Washington and Idaho, contributing to the emergence of salmon conservation as a major national conservation priority; and
- Played a significant role in establishing forest land conservation as a priority in New England and helped organize the Northern Forest Alliance, more than 40 organizations working to preserve open space, sustainable forests, and wildlands.
Wilderness
TWS is a leader in mobilizing public support for legislation adding public lands to the National Wilderness Preservation SystemNational Wilderness Preservation System
The National Wilderness Preservation System of the United States protects federally managed land areas designated for preservation in their natural condition. It was established by the Wilderness Act upon the signature of President Lyndon B. Johnson on September 3, 1964...
(NWPS). Its Wilderness Support Center in Durango, Colorado, works hand in hand with grassroots groups in scores of states to develop bills that can be introduced by members of Congress and then help move the legislation through Congress to the White House. Under the Wilderness Act, lands that become part of the NWPS are protected, forever, from new development, commercial activities, and motorized vehicles. This is the highest form of protection for federal lands. As of August 2006, the NWPS contained more than 106 million acres (429,000 km²). Part of TWS’ mission is to educate the public on the values of wilderness. Recreation is only one of the benefits; others include cleaner air and water, high-quality wildlife habitat, and the medicines for tomorrow, many of which will be derived from natural substances.
Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
TWS supports addition of the 1.5 million acre (6000 km²) coastal plain of the Arctic Refuge to the NWPS. This area provides habitat vital to more than 250 animal species, including wolves, grizzlies, caribou, and millions of migrating birds. The overriding threat to the refuge is oil drilling, and TWS has been in the vanguard of the long-term fight to block passage of legislation that would allow drilling. The best solution is to pass a bill making the coastal plain a wilderness area and thus off-limits to oil development. Such legislation has been introduced but has yet to attract majority support.Off-Road Vehicle Use
The Wilderness Society works to address off-road vehicle use on public lands and waters. Off-road vehicles include dirt bikes, dune buggies, ATVs, and other such vehicles.Roadless Areas
The Roadless Area Conservation Rule was a federal regulation that was adopted by the U.S. Forest Service shortly before President William ClintonWilliam Clinton
Bill Clinton is the 42nd President of the United States. William Clinton may also refer to:*William de Clinton, 1st Earl of Huntingdon , English nobleman from prominent Norman family dating to William the Conqueror; Lord High Admiral as of 1333*William Henry Clinton , British general from...
left office in early 2001. The rule seeks to conserve unprotected wildlands in our national forests by preventing most commercial logging and road construction. The act solidified Clinton's reputation as a great environmental president. At issue are 58.5 million acres (236,000 km²), located in 42 states, but primarily in the West. Within 24 hours of taking office, President Bush’s appointees began their campaign, with the timber industry, to undo this new rule. In May 2005, the Bush administration repealed the Roadless Rule, replacing it with a process that allows governors to petition the Forest Service for protection of the national forest roadless lands within their states, but giving the federal government the power to reject the petitions. The states of California, Oregon, New Mexico, and Washington successfully challenged the Bush roadless rule, resulting in reinstatement of the Clinton rule in 2006.
Eastern Forests
Today, forests in the East are recovering from the clear cutting of the early and mid-20th century. Meanwhile, they are threatened by unsustainable logging, energy extraction, poorly planned growth and sprawl, irresponsible ORV use, and other activities. TWS, along with local partners, works to preserve the remaining wild places within the Eastern Forests.Energy Development
TWS supports steps to create a secure energy future for America, one that rids the nation of its dependence on fossil fuels. TWS believes that those steps include greater energy efficiency (including vehicles that go farther on a gallon of gas) and investment in renewable and clean energy sources.National Landscape Conservation System
The National Landscape Conservation System, established in 2000, encompasses the crown jewels of lands overseen by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. These 27 million acres (109,265.2 km²) include wilderness areas, wild and scenic rivers, and an array of other protection lands. TWS is a leader in a coalition that is committed to raising public awareness of these natural treasures, increasing the funds available to manage them, and encouraging the BLM to protect them. Much of this land deserves to become part of the NWPS.Awards
The Wilderness Society gives out several awards annually. The Ansel Adams AwardAnsel Adams Award (The Wilderness Society)
The Ansel Adams Award is an annual award given by The Wilderness Society of the United States. Named by American photographer and environmentalist Ansel Adams, the award is given to a current or former federal official who has been a fervent advocate of conservation....
, named for photographer and conservationist Ansel Adams
Ansel Adams
Ansel Easton Adams was an American photographer and environmentalist, best known for his black-and-white photographs of the American West, especially in Yosemite National Park....
, is awarded to a current or former federal official who has been a fervent advocate of conservation. The Robert Marshall Award, the Society's most prestigious award, is named in honor of one of its founders, and its first recipient was Sigurd F. Olson
Sigurd F. Olson
Sigurd F. Olson was an American author, environmentalist, and advocate for the protection of wilderness. For more than thirty years, he served as a wilderness guide in the lakes and forests of the Quetico-Superior country of northern Minnesota and northwestern Ontario...
in 1981.
External links
- The Wilderness Society Official Website
- Wilderness.net, information about wilderness, stewardship, scientific information, agency policies, and relevant legislation.
- Wilderness Land Trust, purchases private land (inholdings) in existing and proposed wilderness areas.
- National Landscape Conservation System, charged with the conservation and preservation of 26 million acres (105,000 km²) of public lands.