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OSHER LIFELONG LEARNING INSTITUTE

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Wilderness   

Wilderness — what does that term mean to you? Is it your un-mowed backyard? Is it an area large enough for a two-week backpack trip without seeing a road, building, or other symbol of modern society? Does the word even have meaning to the indigenous peoples that stewarded North America prior to Euro-American conquest? In 1964, the U.S. made the decision through federal legislation to not develop every acre of our country, but instead to create a system of preserves where natural processes are allowed to function. This course looks at the development and history of wilderness as a simple descriptive, yet highly subjective, notion. Included are the visionaries who pushed for setting aside some of our wildlands. Managing wilderness (an oxymoron?) is not an easy task with climate change, fires, and overuse. Does the wilderness system have the political support that it once enjoyed? How much is enough? Classes will include lectures, slides, videos, guest speakers, and time for discussions.
 

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