Abstract
America's 90 million acre National Wilderness Preservation System requires an active management program to protect the values it protects. This paper suggests that several issues confront the process of developing an adequate and appropriate management program: (1) lack of understanding of the meaning of wilderness: (2) lack of knowledge of natural processes and wilderness clientele: (3) inadequate education and training of wilderness managers: (4) poor understanding of the social and economic consequences of maintaining natural processes: and to often viewing wilderness as a primitive recreation area. Four principles for developing management actions are identified: (1) maintenance of ecological processes and natural conditions should govern management: (2) wilderness dependent human uses should be emphasized: (3) involve the public in wilderness management planning: and (4) avoid actions that intrude into experiences.
Recommended Citation
McCool, Stephen F.
(1990)
"Protecting America's precious places,"
Natural Resources and Environmental Issues: Vol. 0, Article 2.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/nrei/vol0/iss1/2
