The National Wilderness Act at 50. On September 3, 1964 President Lyndon B. Johnson signed into law the Wilderness Act. This historic bill established the National Wilderness Preservation System (NWPS) and set aside an initial 9.1 million acres of wildlands for the use and benefit of the American people. Over the past 50 years, and as a result of America’s support for wilderness, Congress has added over 100 million acres to this unique land preservation system. The 1964 Wilderness Act defines “Wilderness” as areas where the earth and its communities of life are left unchanged by people, where the primary forces of nature are in control, and where people themselves are visitors who do not remain.

The NWPS was established for the use and enjoyment of the American people and provides many direct and in-direct benefits, such as those relating to ecological, geological, scientific, educational, scenic, spiritual, economic, recreational, historical, and cultural uses and activities. The 757 wilderness areas within the NWPS are managed by all four federal land managing agencies, the Bureau of Land Management, Fish and Wildlife Service, Forest Service, and National Park Service.

IN ANOKA COUNTY    The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources oversees nearly twenty thousand acres (31 square miles) of wilderness land conserved within seven Wildlife Management Areas (WMA):

• Bearman WMA (Nowthen, 651-296-3450)
• Bethel WMA (Bethel, 651-296-3450)
• Carl E. Bonnell WMA (St. Francis, 651-296-3450)
• Robert and Marilyn Burman WMA (Oak Grove, 651-296-3450)
• Carlos Avery WMA (Area Office in Columbus, 651-296-5290)
• Gordie Mikkelson WMA (Linwood, 651-296-3450)
• Lamprey Pass WMA (Columbus, 651-296-3450)

For more information contact the DNR Information Center at (651) 296-6157 or email info.dnr@state.mn.us.