Celebrate Wilderness 50 on National Trails Day
2014 marks the 50th Anniversary of the Wilderness Act, signed into law on September 3, 1964, by President Lyndon B. Johnson. This historic bill established the National Wilderness Preservation System (NWPS) and set aside an initial 9.1 million acres of wildlands for the use and benefit of the American people. Over the past 50 years, and as a result of America’s support for wilderness, Congress has added over 100 million acres to this unique land preservation system.
The 1964 Wilderness Act defines “Wilderness” as areas where the earth and its communities of life are left unchanged by people, where the primary forces of nature are in control, and where people themselves are visitors who do not remain. (http://www.wilderness50th.org/)
Celebrate the Anniversary of the Wilderness Act early by checking out one of these trail adventures on National Trails Day, June 7, 2014:
- Star Peak Historic Site Work Day – Heron, Montana – Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness
- Bear Trap Trail – Norris, Montana – Bureau of Land Management
- From the Sea to Mesa Peak – Malibu, California – Hiking with Dean
- Mount Rogers High Country Hike – White Top, Virginia – Mount Rogers Appalachian Trail Club
- Go Hike ‘Em, Wilderness 50 Kickoff – Yachats, Utah – Siuslaw National Forest and City of Yachats
- Walk for Wilderness 50th Birthday – Kansas City, Missouri – Sierra Club, MO Dpt of Conservation
- Wilderness All Hands Day – Morrison, Colorado – Friend’s of Mt Evans and Lost Creek
New National Trails Day events are posted everyday, so check out americanhiking.org, and search “Wilderness” for the latest listings.