Using wilderness character to improve wilderness stewardship

Abstract

This article describes how understanding wilderness character leads to improved communication among staff and with the public, helping park staff make more informed decisions about park planning, management, and monitoring in wilderness. Wilderness character is defined in terms of five qualities: natural, solitude or primitive and unconfined recreation, undeveloped, untrammeled, and other features. These qualities can be used to improve wilderness stewardship and foster consistent stewardship across the National Wilderness Preservation System (NWPS).

Citation

Landres, Peter; Vagias, Wade M.; Stutzman, Suzy. 2012. Using wilderness character to improve wilderness stewardship. Park Science. 28(3). Online: http://www.nature.nps.gov/ParkScience/index.cfm?ArticleID=540&Page=1