Why Does Wilderness Matter?

WHY WILDERNESS? IT'S A PLACE TO ENJOY FROM YELLOWSTONE TO YOUR BACKYARD, WILDERNESS IS A PLACE TO REST, EXERCISE, EXPLORE AND CONNECT WITH PEOPLE AND NATURE. BUT AS CITIES SPRAWL AND TECHNOLOGY ADVANCES, WE ARE LOSING OUR IMPORTANT CONNECTION WITH WILDERNESS. BORN TO BE WILD Americans own 635 million acres of parks, forests, wildlife refuges and other federal wildlands. Of those acres, nearly 110 million are officially designated wilderness – no roads, no development. Just pure, unspoiled nature. ON LAUNCHING THE AMERICA'S GREAT OUTDOORS INITIATIVE, PRESIDENT OBAMA SAID: "We are losing our connection to the parks, wild places and open spaces we grew up with and cherish. Children, especially, are spending less time outside running and playing, fish to the outdoors just down the street or outside of town." and hunting and connecting DESPITE HAVING THIS GREAT AMERICAN BACKYARD TO ENJOY, FEWER OF US VISIT WILD PLACES EACH YEAR. THE RESULT A new condition, nature-deficit disorder, which research has shown affects all of us, especially children in vulnerable developing years. THE COSTS This so-called nature-deficit disorder is the combined psychological, physical and cognitive costs we suffer due to our alienation from nature. It can include: Attention and mood disorders Lower grades Obesity Limited respect for the environment Source: Psychology Today LOADED WITH BENEFITS For centuries, wilderness has been a muse to artists and statesmen, such as playwright William Shakespeare, artist Georgia O'Keefe and President Theodore Roosevelt. But it does more than just inspire us; it keeps us healthy, too. Studies have found that: 3/4 of outdoor participants agree that participating in outdoor and nature-related activities strengthens family relationships and gives them: A feeling of accomplishment An escape from life's pressures A connection with themselves 6.4 10 5.1. 10 Outdoor participants rate their fitness levels at Non-participants rate theirs at 6.4 ON A 10-POINT SCALE. 5.1. IN CHILDREN, THE REAL BENEFITS OF OUTDOOR RECREATION COME FROM SPENDING TIME IN WILDERNESS. Children concentrate better after a Nature's tranquility can help children Greener neighborhoods are associated "green" walk in a park than they do after a walk in a neighborhood or city. unwind, reduce stress and feel calmer. with slower increases in children's body mass. EARLY EXPOSURE LASTS ENGAGING YOUTH IN OUTDOOR RECREATION AND NATURE-RELATED ACTIVITIES MAKES A LASTING IMPRESSION. People who participated in Parents, family and friends are the biggest influence in getting participants started in an outdoor activity. outdoor activities as children are -40 PERCENT more likely to do it as adults. Most popular outdoor activities by participation rate I YOUTH I ADULTS Luckily, adults and kids share a passion for the same 26% 22% 21% TOP FIVE 19% 15% 15% 13% 13%12% 12% OUTDOOR RECREATIONAL PURSUITS. Running Cycling Camping Fishing Hiking FREE FOR ALL Most outdoor activities are low-cost or completely free. And you don't have to be an athlete or a professional to enjoy nature; the experience can start in your imagination or your own neighborhood. Here are some things you can do in: LOCAL GREEN SPACES Explore nature with Picnic at a city or state park. scavenger hunts and games. NEARBY WILD PLACES Take a nature walk in a national Camp or fish in a national park. forest or wildlife refuge. REMOTE BACKCOUNTRY Hike a backcountry trail. Stargaze on an overnight backpacking trip. WILDERNESS AT RISK National parks and forests, wildlife refuges and wilderness areas still offer many low-cost and free opportunities for outdoor recreation. YET, CURRENTLY ONLY HALF OF AMERICANS PARTICIPATE IN OUTDOOR RECREATION. In just five years, youth participation in outdoor recreation 2006 decreased from 78 percent (2006) to 63 percent (2011). 78% 2011 63% The Oxford Junior Dictionary for schoolchildren cut these words from the latest version: heron magpie otter clover ivy sycamore willow blackberry acorn It added these words: BlackBerry blog MP3 player voicemail broadband AS WE BECOME MORE AND MORE CONNECTED THROUGH TECHNOLOGY, WE BECOME LESS AND LESS CONNECTED WITH ENJOYING AND PROTECTING WILD PLACES. GO WILD DON'T LET OURS BE THE LAST GENERATION TO LOVE GREEN SPACES AND WILD PLACES. MAKE TIME TO GO WILD. Get started with these wild experiences: AUTA QUIET MOMENTS URBAN ESCAPES WILDLIFE WATCHING NATURE WALKING FAMILY-FRIENDLY FUN GREAT HIKING CAMPING BACKCOUNTRY JOURNEYS WILD ADVENTURES FIND OUT HOW YOU CAN ENJOY AND PROTECT WILDERNESS AT WILDERNESS.ORG. SOURCES: OUTDOOR INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION // PSYCHOLOGY TODAY // CHILDREN & NATURE NETWORK // UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE // INDIANA UNIVERSITY-PURDUE UNVERSITY INDIANAPOLIS // UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON THE WILDERNESS -SOCIETY- PHOTO CREDITS: Protecting wilderness and inspiring Americans to care for wild places. Minnesota Boundary Waters - by United States Forest Service Kayaking - by Damon Parrish, Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI) President Obama - by Pete Souza, The Obama-Biden Transition Project Boston skyline - by MEJones, SXC Square Top Mountain - by The Wilderness Society Biking - by Holly Werran, Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI) Kids playing - by Bob Wick, Bureau of Land Management Group of boys - by YMCA Boys Outdoor Leadership Development program Hiking to summit with snow, Fisherman, Father and son - by Jeff L. Fox Fish and friends - by Bureau of Land Management Picnic basket - by johnnyberg. SC Nature walk - by Kent Miller Backcountry hiker - by lalunablue, Flickr