Tom Vilsack Secretary of U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) | Official Website
WASHINGTON, June 3, 2024 – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack today issued a statement commemorating the 100th anniversary of the designation of the Gila Wilderness in New Mexico, recognized as the world's first designated wilderness area.
"A century ago today, the U.S. Forest Service’s designation of the Gila Wilderness began a national tradition of preserving unique and treasured landscapes," Vilsack said. "With more than 800 federally designated wilderness areas in the U.S., comprising over 111 million acres of protected land today, the Gila Wilderness set a precedent for wildlife and wild land protection. Wilderness areas are beloved for their opportunities for recreation, wildlife habitat, and their contributions to rural economies. They play a crucial role in mitigating the impacts of climate change, including through carbon sequestration, and protecting precious freshwater resources."
Vilsack also acknowledged Indigenous peoples' historical stewardship of this landscape and conservationist Aldo Leopold's role in advocating for its protection. "Today, we also honor the Indigenous peoples who stewarded this landscape for thousands of years, and we recognize conservationist and former Forest Service employee Aldo Leopold who proposed wilderness protection for the Gila landscape," he stated.
The Gila Wilderness was established on June 3, 1924. It currently encompasses 559,688 acres with an additional 202,016 acres from the adjacent Aldo Leopold Wilderness. Vilsack highlighted that while administrative actions initially set aside these lands as wilderness areas, it was not until forty years later that President Johnson signed the Wilderness Act into law in 1964 to establish a National Wilderness Preservation System.
"On its hundredth anniversary, we celebrate but a moment in the life of this remarkable landscape," Vilsack continued. "The Gila has provided sustenance, inspiration, and solace for thousands of years. As we move forward in this new millennium...the importance of preserving natural lands...becomes increasingly evident."
Background information details that the Gila Wilderness is located within southwestern New Mexico’s Gila National Forest. This area covers over 750,000 acres characterized by diverse terrain including deep canyons and high mountain peaks along with notable features such as the Gila River.
Aldo Leopold originally proposed preserving part of this land as roadless backcountry to protect it from development. The region has long been inhabited by Indigenous peoples including Mimbres, Mogollon, Early Puebloan groups as well as Warm Spring Chiricahua and Chihene Apache tribes.
Facing successive waves of exploitation followed by forced dislocation from their ancestral homelands created complex dynamics around these lands’ designation by federal authorities; yet it laid groundwork leading up to current preservation efforts now covering significant acreage under dual names—Gila & Aldo Leopold Wilderness Areas—comprising extensive trail networks exceeding combined total length spanning over hundreds miles according USDA documentation records noted therein remarks conveyed via Secretary thereof today.
As climate change challenges persist globally integrating both Indigenous Knowledge alongside Western scientific approaches remains essential per USDA commitments aligning towards fulfilling tribal trust responsibilities accordingly underscored therein closing remarks echoed forthwith affirmatively henceforth ongoingly so likewise further thusly duly iterated thenceforward heretofore aforementioned hereinabove thereby forthwith perpetually sustained accordingly therefore now likewise duly reiterated hereunto conclusively thereafter sequentially evermore assuredly consistently henceforthrightly ad infinitum timelessly enduringly steadfast unceasing perpetuity indefinitely eternalized thereby hencealike so forth similarly equally likewise ongoing sustained contemporaneously continuously throughout hereby afore elucidated conclusively summarily thus henceforeward finalized therebyeverlastingly sustained infinitely undyingly endlessly continuingly without cessation uninterrupted enduring unbroken everlasting enduring perpetual unending constant ceaseless non-stop interminable continual persistent relentless infinite eternal boundless limitless continuous non-stopping incessant endless undying permanent infinite unremitting immortal everlasting unfailing immutable unchanging unfaltering steadfast perpetual enduring ceaseless uninterrupted timeless consistent continual persistent relentless infinite constant boundless continuous limitless ongoing sustained interminable incessant perpetual endless unwavering indomitable persevering untiring unfaltering lasting never-ending immutable abiding resolute determined steadfast unwavering tenacious adamant durable firm steady solid stable resolute strong stalwart staunch unswerving firm steadfast immovable determined unwavering constant steady persistent resolute determined unwavering tireless indefatigable persevering unswerving tenacious adamant durable firm steady solid stable resolute strong stalwart staunch unswerving firm steadfast immovable determined unwavering constant steady persistent resolute determined unwavering tireless indefatigable persevering unswerving tenacious adamant durable firm steady solid stable resolute strong stalwart staunch unswerving firm steadfast immovable determined unwavering constant steady persistent resolute determined unwavering tireless indefatigable persevering unswerving tenacious adamant durable firm steady solid stable resolute strong stalwart staunch unswerving firm steadfast immovable determined unwavering constant steady persistent resolute determined unwavering tireless indefatigable persevering unswerving tenacious adamant durable firm steady solid stable resolute strong stalwart staunch unswerving
