These compiled conference papers range from philosophical to highly technical and from advocacy to opposition. Herein, the papers are arranged according to the following sections of the conference: Recreation and Wildlife Economic Methods and Techniques International Case Studies Nonconforming Opportunity Costs of Wilderness Local Economic Impacts Economic Value in Decision Making Noneconomic Benefits of Wilderness Special Reports A number of ideas, concepts, and knowledge gaps seem to permeate the papers. Foremost among them is the problem of defining that which is to be valued. Unlike apples and oranges, wilderness presents dimensions ranging from the tangible to the existential. Is there a holistic system value different from the sum of individual units? What, in fact, are the defining characteristics of individual units and how can they be measured separately and interactively? There are no easy answers. The economics profession appears to be ready with a theoretical and methodological tool kit to address parts of the problem. Indeed, papers at this conference illustrate advances in measuring components of both direct and indirect, consumptive and nonconsumptive benefits attributable to wilderness, specific wilderness sites, and particular aspects of individual wilderness areas. Nevertheless, the development of these tools is at its infancy, and they will be very limited until the huge gaps in understanding the physical, psychological, political, and philosophical relationships inherent in complex wilderness systems are better understood.

Assesses to what extent wilderness areas in Europe receive protection under international conventions, EU directives and domestic law.

"Gone are those of the 1950s and early 1960s who championed preserving wild lands and who influenced and saw the birth of the National Wilderness Preservation System (NWPS). Gone too are myriad eager managers and proponents of wild land protection of the late 1960s and 1970s who helped rear the fledgling Wilderness system and bring it into adolescence by adding management practices and policy interpretations. In this, the 40th year since the birth of the NWPS, this middle-age federal land system is surrounded by many new faces as its childhood friends have moved on to other callings, have retired, or are no longer with us. Needed in these new times is a clear, comprehensive articulation of the multiple values of Wilderness. The overall purpose of this book is to tell fully what we know about the range of values Americans hold toward the NWPS in a factual, wide-ranging, and science-based way. A multidisciplinary team of authors and researchers clarify the meaning of different types of Wilderness values and present replicable, science-based evidence of these values in this volume. The intended audience is all those new faces who can and do have power over the future of the U.S. National Wilderness Preservation System as well as all who seek to influence those who have this power. This book is also intended for teachers, students, and other inquisitive people involved in formal or informal learning and research programs. The authors intend this compilation to help better inform interested and engaged members of the general public about the values of their public Wilderness areas. After all, it is the American citizen who is ultimately responsible and can influence public policy in the greatest measure through their individual and collective voices and actions." -- Publisher.