Wilderness can be described as an area where the earth and its community of life are untrammelled by man, where man himself is a visitor. Wilderness is allowed to retain its primeval character and influence, and is managed and protected so as to preserve its natural conditions. Wilderness offers outstanding opportunities for solitude, primitive and unconfined recreation and is of sufficient size to make practicable its preservation and use in an unimpaired condition.

Important aspects of wilderness ethics are a sense of humility, obligation and gratitude towards nature. Humans must recognise that they are members of an environmental community with no more moral rights to existence of freedom than other forms of life. Humans are not conquerors but partners with nature – both within and outside of wilderness.

Wilderness is managed with the concept that there ought to be some places on earth where nature operates on her own. These areas are intended to remain untrammelled, allowing natural processes to continue unhindered by people’s actions. At the same time, wilderness managers are directed to provide people with opportunities for solitude and primitive and unconfined encounters with wild nature. The balance between protection of natural processes and allowing people to use the wilderness is not easy to achieve...

"We all look at nature too much and live with her too little."
(Oscar Wilde)