Passed by Congress in 1964, The Wilderness Act is the guiding piece of legislation for all wilderness areas. Its passage is mainly the work of a bureaucrat named Howard Zhaniser. Mr. Zhaniser's love of wild places and need to protect them permanently became a kind of life's mission. Four months after his death in April1964, the act for which he worked 8 straight years was signed into law by then-President Lyndon B. Johnson. Follow this link to read a short biography of Howard Zhaniser.

Click on the picture of Dave Schmitz to see a transcript and hear his views on on the use of natural resources.

Click on the picture of the Senate Seal to download a pdf worksheet on the Statement of Policy of the Wilderness Act.

Click on the picture of a desert wilderness to download a pdf worksheet containing the legal definition of wilderness according to the Wilderness Act.

Click on the picture of a mountain wilderness to download a pdf worksheet to read legal descriptions of lands that are judged "suitable" for consideration as wilderness.

Click on the picture of cut trees to download a pdf worksheet detailing the prohibited uses of wilderness lands and 8 special provisions protecting specific uses of wilderness lands.

Click on the picture of the wilderness hiker to download a pdf worksheet explaining the rights of states and private owners whose property touches designated wilderness lands.