Sometimes it"s nice to get away. Thanks to environmentalist Howard Zahniser, Americans can do that in one of the country"s many wildernesses—areas sheltered from human activities. While conservation efforts like the creation of national forests and parks began in the late 1800s, untamed wilderness had dwindled to only 2.5% of the nation"s land by the 1960s. To reverse this trend, Zahniser wrote most of what became the Wilderness Act. Signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson on September 3, 1964, it today protects more than 109 million acres—5% of the land in the US.
Wilderness Act anniversary
Today in History
More Desktop Wallpapers:
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A wild and scenic scene
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Old Town of Rovinj, Croatia
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International Jazz Day
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An oceanic valentine
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The Cutty Sark turns 150
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Methow Valley, North Cascades, Washington
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A whale of a picture
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Brotherly cubs
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A sleeping green giant
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International Archaeology Day
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Celebrating World Water Day
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Evidence of human habitation
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Cold? What cold?
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Manatee Awareness Month
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Red-necked grebes during breeding season
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Old Town Quito
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Celebrating Labor Day
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Plum blossoms in China
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These patterns tell a story
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Holey moley–it’s National Doughnut Day!
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It s a good day to be green
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Scottish Blackface sheep, Aberdeenshire, Scotland
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Birch trees, Drammen, Norway
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Happy Birthday, J.R.R. Tolkien!
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US Coast Guard: Protecting us for 105 years
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Happy holidays!
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Gunnerside, Yorkshire Dales National Park, England
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Tasmans Arch, Tasmania, Australia
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Ocean City, Maryland, at sunrise
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Pascua Florida Day