What Does Wilderness Mean in our Modern World?

KQED's Forum

A century ago, the United States designated its first wilderness area – a place to be forever preserved and protected from human impact. But what does “wilderness” mean in the era of smartphone technology that keeps us constantly connected and human-fueled climate change? And who gets to enjoy these “untrammeled” spaces? These are the questions posed by environmental journalist Marissa Ortega-Welch in her new podcast “How Wild.” We’ll talk with Ortega-Welch, an environmental historian, and an outdoor educator about the complex history and future of our wildest landscapes. And we hear from you: What does wilderness mean for you?

Guests:

Marissa Ortega-Welch, science and environmental journalist; host of the podcast "How Wild"

Phoebe Young, professor of environmental history and chair of the history department, University of Colorado Boulder. She is also the author of "Camping Grounds: Public Nature in American Life from the Civil War to the Occupy Movement."

Aparna Rajagopal, founding partner, The Avarna Group