America’s Wilderness Turns 45: NM Conservationists Call for More Protections

“A wilderness, in contrast with those areas where man and his own works dominate the landscape, is hereby recognized as an area where the earth and community of life are untrammeled by man, where man himself is a visitor who does not remain.” --Definition in the Wilderness Act

From the New Mexico Wilderness Alliance: This month marks the 45th anniversary of a conservation landmark -- the Wilderness Act. Signed into law on September 3, 1964 by President Lyndon Johnson, this historic legislation has been used by citizens from coast to coast over those years to guarantee that future generations will be able to use and enjoy our nation’s wonderfully diverse wilderness areas. The first national treasure that gained immediate protection was New Mexico's own Gila Wilderness.

Forty-five years later, the Wilderness Act remains one of the most important and effective conservation measures enacted, as Americans continue to push for wilderness protection. Today, the National Wilderness Preservation System is 109 million acres strong. Yet that remains less than five percent of America’s land mass. And when Americans lose 6,000 acres of open space every day, there is still much to be done.

Here in New Mexico, conservationists are working to protect over 2 million acres as wilderness so that future generations will be able to enjoy our natural wonders.

“New Mexico is the birthplace of wilderness and we are actively working to ensure that this gold standard of protection is applied to many other unique areas in our state,” said Nathan Newcomer of the New Mexico Wilderness Alliance. “But whether we will celebrate the continued growth of a rich, well-supported system of wild lands, including New Mexico, is very much in the air. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate this conservation capstone than by seeing more wilderness designations in New Mexico."

Protected wilderness in America provides clean air, clean water, recreational opportunities like hunting and fishing, habitat for wildlife, and spiritual wellbeing for those who visit or simply appreciate knowing such wild places still exist.

Recognizing the importance of the Wilderness Act to our nation, the U.S. Senate recently passed a resolution commemorating the 45th Anniversary of this groundbreaking measure. The resolution boasts that the Senate “recognizes and commends the extraordinary work of the individuals and organizations involved in building the National Wilderness Preservation System; and is grateful for the wilderness, a tremendous asset the United States continues to preserve as a gift to future generations of the United States.”