Conservation Quote by Emma Marris
““In the United States law, federally designated wilderness is famously defined as 'an area where the earth and its community of life are untrammeled by man, where man himself is a visitor who does not remain.' One environmental ethics text defines natural like this: 'Something is natural to the extent that it is independent of human design, control, and impacts.' Definitions like this start with a basic assumption that human beings are not part of nature. They assume, in fact, that humans are the opposite of nature, that our influence makes a thing less wild or natural. And I simply reject this premise. After many years, I have come to see the concepts of wilderness and nature as not just unscientific but damaging.””
About This Quote
Source Book: “Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail” (2016)
The author challenges the notion that wilderness is untouched by humans, arguing that humanity is part of nature and that separating the two is scientifically flawed and harmful.
In simple terms: Wilderness isn’t separate from humans; we belong to nature.
Key Takeaway
Accept human role in ecosystems.
Themes
environment
ethics
nature
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
environmental essay
argumentative
When to use this quote
- conservation policy
- land management
- education programs
Key Concepts
human-nature relationship
ecocentrism
Questions to Reflect On
- How does this view affect conservation?
- What policies reflect this integration?
A Different Perspective
Changing perceptions can be politically contentious.
