Different Understandings of the term ‘Wilderness’

“Give me the ocean, the desert, or the wilderness!”

Walking – Henry David Thoreau

Introduction

Exploring different understandings of wilderness reveals how this concept shifts across cultures and contexts. Traditionally seen as untouched nature, wilderness in many indigenous views includes humans as part of the ecosystem. Legal definitions, like the U.S. Wilderness Act, aim to preserve land free from industrial use, but post-colonial critiques highlight how this erases indigenous histories.

Classic Understanding of Wilderness

The classical understanding of wilderness in Western thought, rooted in Judeo-Christian traditions, often portrayed it as desolate, wild, and uninhabited—a place manifesting God’s displeasure. At the same time Stankey mentioned, that wilderness was paradoxically seen as a sanctuary, offering refuge from the constraints of civilization. This duality is evident in how wilderness was understood as the antonym of civilization. Andrew Light, in his 1995 text titled ‘the Metaphorical Drift of Classical Wilderness’, notes that classical wilderness, often seen as jungles or wild lands, marked a cognitive and geographical boundary between human settlements and “savages”—those deemed not fully human by European explorers. The separation between wilderness and human activity reinforced the notion that it was a valuable, yet radically different, space from civilization and humans.

Legal Definitions of Wilderness

Legal definitions of wilderness emphasise the protection of natural areas free from human influence. The U.S. Wilderness Act of 1964 defines wilderness as land “untrammeled by man,” where human presence is minimal, and the landscape retains its primeval character without permanent structures or modifications. It underscores the importance of preserving these areas for solitude and scientific or educational value. Similarly, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classifies wilderness areas as large, unmodified regions, managed to maintain their natural condition with little to no human habitation. Both frameworks highlight the role of wilderness as spaces to be preserved and protected from human activity.

Post-Colonial Perspectives on Wilderness

From a post-colonial perspective, this notion of wilderness is problematic. It not only erases the presence of Indigenous peoples, who have long stewarded these environments, but also reinforces the idea that nature must be devoid of human influence to be preserved. True environmental justice requires acknowledging Indigenous land rights and understanding that many so-called wilderness areas have been sustainably managed by Indigenous communities for centuries. Protecting these lands without recognising their cultural significance continues the colonial legacy of dispossession and erasure.

Cultural and Indigenous Perspectives

For many Indigenous peoples, wilderness is not seen as a pristine or untouched landscape but as land that requires care and stewardship. Aboriginal Australians, for instance, view “wild country”—what others might call wilderness—as “sick country,” degraded due to a lack of proper management and care. In this understanding, land is not separate from human interaction but thrives when actively nurtured through practices like controlled burning and sustainable use. Wilderness, in this context, is not a space to be left alone but one that benefits from continuous, responsible human involvement.

European Wilderness Societies Understanding of Wilderness

The European Wilderness Society defines wilderness as an essential part of Europe’s natural and cultural heritage, emphasizing its intrinsic and experiential value. Wilderness offers more than just physical beauty, providing people with opportunities to experience the “spiritual quality of nature in the widest experiential sense,” beyond mere visual attributes. In addition to its psychological impact, wilderness delivers crucial ecological, social, and economic benefits, including “conserving biodiversity,” “protecting ecosystem services,” and “capturing and storing carbon dioxide.”

The 2009 European Parliament Resolution marked a turning point, calling for the development of a clear wilderness definition, which the European Wilderness Society has since adopted. According to their standards, wilderness areas are governed by “open-ended, undefined natural processes” and consist of “native habitats and species” that remain “unmodified or only slightly modified” by human activity. These core wilderness zones meet strict criteria to maintain their natural state, ensuring that wilderness performs ecological functions better than modified landscapes. This definition underscores the importance of wilderness in Europe, both as a natural and cultural asset that must be protected and cherished.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the concept of wilderness is far from a one-size-fits-all definition. From the classical Western view of untouched, desolate land to Indigenous perspectives that emphasize stewardship, each understanding brings valuable insights into the relationship between humans and nature. Legal frameworks focus on protecting areas from human interference, while post-colonial critiques and Indigenous voices remind us that wilderness is not always separate from human presence. European definitions, meanwhile, highlight the ecological and cultural significance of wilderness as part of a shared heritage. Ultimately, understanding wilderness through these varied lenses allows for a more inclusive, nuanced approach to conservation and the role that humans play in maintaining the natural world.