Document - Concept of River Wilderness
Abstract
Recent favorable conservation legislation indicates that an eleventh hour quirk of conscience has struck the national mind in the matter of saving what is left of a shrinking American wilderness for the mushrooming recreational demands of an exploding population. More and more is being said and written about the need of protecting remaining free -flowing rivers as a Significant facet of wilderness: My purpose in this discussion is primarily to point to some of the unique characteristics of river wilderness, and to compare local conditions and trends with those elsewhere. Rather than to simply apply the cliches of conservationist logic to river wilderness promotion, let us first examine some terminology and popular concepts of wilderness needs and availability and suggest how these might be modified in terms of wild river classification and preservation. In addition, we might be justified to attempt a critical examination and broad classification of wilderness users as to motivation background, thus better to identify and label specific wilderness for specific needs within the broad spectrum of outdoor recreation.Description
Essay by AW founder Wolf Bauer on the importance of conserving wild rivers.Document Information
Filename - Concept of River Wilderness1451.pdf
Size - 5.56MB
Associated Rivers
Cowlitz
WA
Green
WA
2 - Green River Gorge III-IV
Associated Projects
Green River (WA)
AW works with partners to protect flows and the scenic landscape of the Green River Gorge.
Nooksack Stewardship (WA)
Public access, hydropower development, and resource stewardship are all ongoing issues on this river system.
Skagit Wild and Scenic (WA)
Public access, riparian protection, and effective resource stewardship are all important to management of the Skagit Wild and Scenic River.
Wild Olympics (WA)
A campaign to protect the free-flowing rivers of the Olympic Peninsula.