Why protecting wildland is crucial to American freedom and identity

By: Leisl Carr Childers, Colorado State University and Michael Childers, Colorado State University, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: December 25, 2025

Words: 1,524

Last Updated: 2 weeks, 2 days ago

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By Leisl Carr Childers, Colorado State University and Michael Childers, Colorado State University

As summer approaches, millions of Americans begin planning or taking trips to state and national parks, seeking to explore the wide range of outdoor recreational opportunities across the nation. A lot of them will head toward the nation’s wilderness areas – 110 million acres, mostly in the West, that are protected by the strictest federal conservation rules.

When Congress passed the Wilderness …

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