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Where Wilderness Preservation Began: Adirondack Writings of Howard Zahniser

Howard Zahniser's Adirondack writings are collected in this volume, offering insights into the origins of wilderness conservation efforts in the United States. The book delves into the early history of the Adirondack region and the development of conservation ideas that would later influence national policy. more

Author

Howard Zahniser
Howard Zahniser

Howard Zahniser (February 25, 1906 – May 5, 1964) was an American environmentalist and writer, best known for drafting the Wilderness Act. He served as executive director of The Wilderness Society for 19 years, advocating for the protection of pristine natural areas. Through persistent lobbying and writing, Zahniser led the campaign that resulted in the passage of the Wilderness Act in 1964, establishing the National Wilderness Preservation System. His work laid the legal foundation for preserving America's wild landscapes and influenced global conservation movements. more

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“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”

“These days I think the composers of music influence me more than any photographers or visual creators. I see something exciting or lovely and think to myself: 'If Papa Haydn or Wolfgang Amadeus or the red-headed Vivaldi were here with a camera, they'd snap a picture of what's in front of me.' So I take the picture for them.”

“I had no aspirations to become a landscape photographer at all. In fact it was portraiture that was my beginning, I suppose. I have always been a very keen walker, though, and I often took a camera with me on my walks. But I was, and still am, an avid reader and so when I first started I chose to photograph many of the great writers in this country to try and earn a living.”

“I don’t get wrapped up in technique and the like. I have a simple rule and that is to spend as much time in the location as possible. You can’t expect to take a definitive image in half an hour. It takes days, often years. And in fact I don’t believe there is such a thing as a definitive picture of something. The land is a living, breathing thing and light changes its character every second of every day. That’s why I love it so much.”