Wilderness Connect
What is Wilderness?
The Wilderness Act of 1964 established the National Wilderness Preservation System, creating the federal land designation of wilderness areas. While the meaning of "wilderness" varies by context, a designated wilderness area is a legal definition that reflects the character and concept of a place set aside to preserve natural conditions, provide opportunities for solitude and primitive recreation, and protect cultural, ecological, and historical values. Today, the NWPS includes over 111.8 million acres in 806 wilderness areas across the U.S. and Puerto Rico. These areas are managed by the Bureau of Land Management, the National Park Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the U.S. Forest Service.
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LEARN ABOUT WILDERNESS
Mission
Connecting federal employees, scientists, educators, and the public with their wilderness heritage.
About
Wilderness Connect is a communications, education, and science dissemination program administered through a collaborative partnership between The Wilderness Institute at the University of Montana, the Arthur Carhart National Wilderness Training Center, and the Aldo Leopold Wilderness Research Institute. It is advised by a working group and steering committee with oversight provided by the federal interagency National Wilderness Steering Committee and Wilderness Policy Council.
We offer resources designed (1) to empower current and future land managers to make decisions that adhere to law and policy, incorporate the best science, and are informed by the latest knowledge on contemporary wilderness stewardship issues; and (2) to inspire the public to identify with wild places, learn about wilderness areas and their stewardship, and plan responsible wilderness visits.