Wilderness seems like an innate, normal, natural concept. ‘Wilderness is the story of the planet.’ That’s what Chad Dawson, today’s guest, says at least. Wilderness is also the story of humanity. Yet, here we are, forgetting our roots and how to live in conjunction with the land. So, how did we get here?

In this episode, we dive into wilderness management with Chad Dawson, retired professor and key figure behind the Wilderness Management (5th edition that is) textbook—a comprehensive guide that’s shaped how we understand and preserve our wildest lands. With decades of experience in natural resource management, Chad unpacks the complexities of wilderness—not just as protected spaces, but as interconnected ecosystems with stories that span time.

How do we preserve these landscapes for future generations? What does it mean to "manage" wilderness without interfering with its natural processes? And how can we learn from ancestral and traditional knowledge to do so?

Join us as Chad guides us through the evolution of wilderness management, balancing human development with ecological preservation, and the vital role of education and research. What began in 1978 as an effort to define wilderness preservation has blossomed into global conversation—and today, we’re continuing that journey.

Before listening to the episode, please consider supporting our work at WILD.org, which allows us to dedicate time to creating these conversations for you.

Order the 5th Edition of Wilderness Management from Waveland Press: https://www.waveland.com/browse.php?t=802

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