What “Wilderness” Means

[Miguel Arboleda]

I saw this article on the meaning of the word "wilderness" to people in different parts of the world. Most people don't see the natural world in the same way that Americans do. Very interesting reflections.

[Eric Lundquist]

I think that American ideas of wilderness stem from the western expansion and the vast frontier that initially to them appeared untouched by even human hands. I personally feel a more wilderness experience the further and longer I am away from the 'civilized' world. When you can go several days (or weeks for some people) without seeing another person, you understand how wild and untamed the natural world is.

Personal caption: "Wilderness? If you have to tell them, it probably isn't."

[Diplomatic Mike]

No straight lines, and the sound of silence. :)

[Jolly Green Giant]

Not sure if anyone wanted the technical definition of Wilderness Area (vs. just "wilderness"), but what the heck.

Check out the Wilderness Act of 1964. Basically, a wilderness area is an area "untrampled by man", "natural", "affected primarily by the forces of nature", "of at least 5000 acres", and "may also contain ecological, geological, or other features of scientific, educational, scenic, or historical value".

http://www.wilderness.net/NWPS/documents//publiclaws/PDF/16_USC_1131-1136.pdf

[Bob Gross]

In California, a bunch of areas were defined as being wilderness based on whether they had roads or not.

–B.G.–

[Art …]

Wilderness is merely a Relative State of Mind.
If you feel comfortable and familiar, it is not wilderness.
If you feel out of your element, foreign, and unfamiliar … it is wilderness, even if its in the middle of a big city.

[Sara C]

"untrampled by man", "affected primarily by the forces of nature", "of at least 5000 acres"

They don't actually apply those standards for official federal wilderness areas. Missouri would have none if that were the case.

[Author]

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