SierraScape September 2014 - February 2015
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by Toni Armstrong
Secretary
EMG Chapter

The Wilderness Act states: "A wilderness, in contrast with those areas where man and his own works dominate the landscape, is hereby recognized 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."

On September 3, 1964 President Johnson signed into law the Wilderness Act. This legislation has created a legacy of wild place for everyone to enjoy. There are several ways to join the celebration of 50 years of Wilderness: visit a photo exhibit of Missouri's wilderness areas, explore a wilderness area or learn more about the history of the wilderness movement at the October general meeting.

Photo exhibit:

Celebrate Missouri's 8 wilderness areas thru photos by visiting the Kirksville Arts Center at 117 S. Franklin in Kirksville during September to see a traveling exhibit showcasing the beauty of Missouri's wilderness areas. The wilderness photo exhibit travels to the Mark Twain Forest Service in October and then to the Discovery Museum in Springfield, Missouri for November and December 2014.

October 23 General Meeting:

Howard Zahniser was the primary author and driving force behind Wilderness Act that became law in September 1964. Zahniser wrote more than 60 drafts and spent 8 years lobbying Congress to enable passage of the Act. Howard's son, Matt Zahniser will speak at 7pm on October 23 at Litzinger School on the history of the Wilderness Act. Matt is Scholar in Residence of Greenville College in Illinois and the author of several books.

Take a hike:

Explore a wilderness area on a hike with the Sierra Club. Below are listed some hikes to Missouri wilderness areas. Check out the Outings Section for more details and other outings.

Wednesday 9/17/14 Day Hike - Paddy Creek Wilderness With scenic overlooks and walking through forests, you will enjoy the hike as we walk along the Southern Loop of the Big Piney Trail.

Wednesday 10/29/14 Irish Wilderness Area Hike. We hike along the Whites Creek Trail beginning from Camp Five trail head to see the largest Wilderness Area in Missouri. With good vistas and many colorful trees along the route makes for a great hiking experience.