Happy 50th Anniversary Wilderness Act!  Such an honor to be counted amongst the top 100 out of over 5500 images submitted.  "Honorable Mention - People in Wilderness"

The Report Of Peace And Sunshine

Here is an embed of the "Wilderness Forever" Facebook page, where my image is included.

The Wilderness Act, a cornerstone of America’s conservation laws, marks its 50th anniversary September 3, 2014. The act established the National Wilderness Preservation System that represents America’s most wild and pristine federally protected lands. Today, these lands encompass 758 wilderness areas covering more than 109 million acres in 44 states and Puerto Rico. Together, they represent the largest, most highly protected body of wild lands in the country.

To celebrate this important anniversary, the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History has opened the photography exhibition, “Wilderness Forever: 50 Years of Protecting America’s Wild Places,” which runs through summer 2015. Presented in collaboration with Nature’s Best Photography and Wilderness50, the exhibit features juried selections from over 5,000 entries across the country.

These award-winning images, captured by professional, student and amateur photographers, reveal America as you've never seen it before — wild, untouched and free. Located on the National Mall, the museum is open from 10 am to 5:30 pm, every day except for Christmas Day. The exhibition is located on the second floor of the museum.

Smithsonian Exhibition and TV Special Showcase Wonders of Wilderness Lands, Celebrate 50th Anniversary of Landmark Legislation

"Wilderness Forever" Photography Exhibition

September 2014 will mark 50 years since the passage of the Wilderness Act-one of America's most successful and enduring pieces of conservation legislation. To celebrate this milestone, Wilderness50, Nature's Best Photography, Esri, and the Smithsonian Institution will showcase an exhibition of juried photography highlighting the beauty, diversity, and longevity of America's wilderness. The exhibition, titled "Wilderness Forever: 50 Years of Protecting America's Wild Places," opened September 3, 2014 at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C. and will run until summer 2015.

Winning photographs, announced at the beginning of March 2014, were selected from over 5000 public entries submitted nationwide. The over 50images are displayed as large-format prints in the nation's most-visited museum, which welcomes more than 8 million visitors each year.

In addition to the photographs, the exhibition includes interactive story maps that are also publicly available online:

• Wilderness in Context: geographically provides vital wilderness information about size, remoteness, climate, and terrain.
• Explore the Photographs: a delightful way to enjoy exquisite wilderness photography across the American landscape.

 

The Wilderness act of 1964, signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson was a great thing for sure, and I give thanks for it all the time.  Here is some additional information about the Wilderness Act:

The Wilderness Act of 1964 created the National Wilderness Preservation System, a nationwide system of federally protected lands known as wilderness areas. Today there are 758 wilderness areas across 44 states and Puerto Rico. Together, they represent over 109 million acres, or about 5 percent of all U.S. land. To learn more about where these Wilderness areas are, check out this interactive map and look for my image in the Ansel Adams Wilderness Area of California.

There are many types of public lands that fall along a spectrum of management and protection. They include national forests, national monuments, national parks, national preserves, national recreation areas, wilderness areas, as well as their state, local and tribal equivalents.

Wilderness areas represent the most highly protected public lands in the country. Along with Strict Nature Preserves, they represent the “wildest of the wild lands” remaining in our country. Because they are the most highly protected lands, wilderness areas are subject to strict criteria that are monitored by various federal agencies. In a nutshell, wilderness areas:

• Are affected primarily by the forces of nature. Indications of human interference must be substantially unnoticeable.
• Provide outstanding opportunities for solitude and primitive recreation. Wilderness areas allow restorative, enriching activities like camping and hiking for individuals and groups.
• Are large enough to allow use while maintaining natural conditions. Most wilderness areas contain at least 5,000 acres.
• Contain features of ecological, geological, scientific, educational, scenic, or historical value.

Thanks to the dedicated efforts of government land management agencies, conservation groups, and ordinary citizens, wilderness areas continue to grow. Wilderness areas are created when agencies, groups and people like you recommend new areas to become wilderness. Congress considers these recommendations and when both the House of Representatives and Senate agree on the same recommendation, Congress enacts wilderness legislation. The President then signs or vetoes that wilderness bill. When both Congress and the President successfully pass the wilderness legislation, a new wilderness area is designated.

The stewardship of wilderness areas is entrusted to four different federal land management agencies. They are the National Park Service, Forest Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, and Bureau of Land Management. While their monitoring and care approaches may vary, their mission is the same; to care for and protect wilderness areas and its natural inhabitants for the benefit and enjoyment of current and future generations of Americans.

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