America's first wilderness paved the way for conservation
By Farms.com
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) commemorates the 100th anniversary of the Gila Wilderness in New Mexico. This landmark designation in 1924 established the world's first wilderness area, forever changing the landscape of conservation efforts.
Secretary Vilsack acknowledged the Gila Wilderness' significant contribution to wildlife habitat protection, recreation opportunities, and rural economies. He emphasized the role of wilderness areas in mitigating climate change through carbon storage and freshwater preservation.
The article recognizes the Indigenous peoples who stewarded this land for millennia and credits Aldo Leopold, a Forest Service employee, for advocating for its wilderness designation. Today, the Gila Wilderness encompasses over 559,000 acres, complemented by the adjacent Aldo Leopold Wilderness.
While the Gila set the stage for future wilderness designations, the official Wilderness Act wasn't established until 1964.
Secretary Vilsack emphasized the ongoing importance of preserving wild places like the Gila Wilderness for future generations. The USDA and Forest Service remain committed to protecting this remarkable landscape.