[pct-l] Wilderness designation

[Paul Magnanti]

>>Wilderness does not exist, nor was it created, as a recreational commodity. 
>>As such, it does not depend on any human interaction to maintain it's 
>>status. 
Wilderness with a capital "W" very much depends upon human interaction to exist. 
http://www.wilderness.net/index.cfm?fuse=NWPS&sec=designation

As backcountry use goes down and people using the outdoors in more varied manners, the definition of Wilderness will change.

Less people in the backcountry is good in some ways, bad in others. Without advocates for wilderness (lower case "l"), the wilderness will be a bit less wild.
And that means human interaction to keep it Wilderness and wilderness as we know it.

Rather than think of wilderness, I prefer to think in terms of wildness (as Thoreau would say).  Wildness can be found in the most remote areas of Utah...or it can be found by a stream while near a bike path on a cold, winter day. I've seen Wilderness areas full of people (Indian Peaks Wilderness)..and BLM land criss-crossed with dirt roads full of no one. (The Great Divide Basin).

Which area is more wild? 

To preserve these moments of solitude very much depends upon human interaction. Demand for cheap energy continues to grow. More people are clamoring to use the backcountry in ways perhaps not conducive to solitary experiences. 

The key is preserve and protect. Wilderness and wilderness both need human interaction for that. The key to doing that also means getting people into the wild, into the Wilderness and the wilderness. We need to balance a need for the solitude many of us crave...without sounding elitist or insulting. Excluding people means less advocates. And less of what we hold dear. (Look at Glen Canyon).  Striking the balance is admittedly difficult.

I don't have the answer. But I do know that without advocates, human interaction if you will, there will be no Wilderness or wilderness. And increasingly less wild.




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The true harvest of my life is intangible.... a little stardust 
caught, a portion of the rainbow I have clutched
--Thoreau
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