--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: By very definition this wilderness is a…" description: "\"By very definition this wilderness is a need. The idea of wilderness as an area without man's influence is man's own concept. Its values are human valu..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ec5/howard-zahniser-54797_areas_by-very-definition-this-wilderness-is-a_3011073.png" --- # By very definition this wilderness is a need. The idea of… ![“By very definition this wilderness is a need. The idea of wilderness as an area without man's influence is man's own concept. Its values are human values. Its preservation is a purpose that arises out of man's own sense of his fundamental needs” quote by Howard Zahniser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ec5/howard-zahniser-54797_areas_by-very-definition-this-wilderness-is-a_3011073.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ec5/howard-zahniser-54797_areas_by-very-definition-this-wilderness-is-a_3011073.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ec5/howard-zahniser-54797_areas_by-very-definition-this-wilderness-is-a_3011073.png) > “By very definition this wilderness is a need. The idea of wilderness as an area without man's influence is man's own concept. Its values are human values. Its preservation is a purpose that arises out of man's own sense of his fundamental needs” [Howard Zahniser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-zahniser/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He argues wilderness is a human‑created concept reflecting our needs, and its preservation serves human values. **In simple terms:** Wilderness is a human idea reflecting our needs. Key Takeaway Preserve wilderness for human values. Themes environment philosophy humanism conservation Mood reflective analytical Type environmental ethical When to use this quote - national parks - land management - environmental education Key Concepts ecology anthropocentrism Questions to Reflect On - Why do we value wilderness? - How to balance human needs with nature? A Different Perspective Human‑centric view may ignore intrinsic nature value. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Areas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/areas/) [Arise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/arise/) [Concepts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/concepts/) [Definition Wilderness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/definition-wilderness-4829045/) [Definitions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/definitions/) [Fundamentals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fundamentals/) [Human values](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-values/) [Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) [Idea Wilderness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/idea-wilderness-4829046/) [Ideas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ideas/) [Influence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/influence/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) [Needs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/needs/) [Preservation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/preservation/) [Purpose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/purpose/) [Values](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/values/) [Wilderness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wilderness/) [Wilderness Area](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wilderness-area-2366249/) [Wilderness Need](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wilderness-need-1789616/) ## Related quotes > [I have discovered in a lifetime of traveling in primitive regions, a lifetime of seeing people living in the wilderness and using it, that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sigurd-f-olson/i-have-discovered-in-a-lifetime-of-traveling-in-primitive-regions-a/) [Sigurd F. Olson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sigurd-f-olson/) > [The reason to preserve wilderness is that we need it. We need wilderness of all kinds, large and small, public and private. Wee need…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendell-berry/the-reason-to-preserve-wilderness-is-that-we-need-it-we-need/) [Wendell Berry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendell-berry/) > [The idea of wilderness needs no defense. It only needs more defenders. 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