Frequently Asked Questions

We protect public lands and wilderness by working with communities, policymakers and researchers to advance science-based, nonpartisan conservation policies. This work helps protect clean water, wildlife habitat, outdoor access and the freedom to experience public lands. 

Founded in 1935, The Wilderness Society has spent more than 90 years helping protect nearly 112 million acres of public lands across the United States. We led the creation of the landmark Wilderness Act of 1964, contributed to other bedrock conservation laws, and have defended clean water, wildlife habitat, and outdoor access for generations of Americans. Our Charity Navigator four-star rating reflects our commitment to accountability in this work. 

The Wilderness Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization funded by individual donors, foundations and grants. We do not accept funding that compromises our independence or conservation mission. We hold a four-star rating from Charity Navigator — its highest — and meet all 20 accountability standards of the Better Business Bureau. Financial details are available on our accountability page. 

Protecting public lands helps keep water clean, conserve wildlife habitat, support outdoor recreation, sustain cultural connections, and strengthen the economies of local communities. It also preserves the freedom to explore and enjoy these wild places now and for future generations. 

America's public lands face serious threats from efforts to open them to extractive industries like oil, gas and mining; rollbacks of existing protections for national monuments and wilderness areas; proposals to sell or transfer federal lands to state or private ownership; and cuts to the agencies that manage these places. The Wilderness Society actively tracks and responds to these threats through advocacy, legal intervention and public education. Sign up for WildAlerts to receive timely updates and opportunities to take action. 

The Wilderness Society opposes mining, logging, and oil and gas drilling when these activities would permanently damage public lands, pollute clean water or harm wildlife habitat. We support science-based land management that protects public lands and other irreplaceable natural resources. 

Public lands conservation plays a critical role in addressing climate change. America's forests, grasslands, wetlands and other wild places store enormous amounts of carbon, and protecting them from development keeps that carbon out of the atmosphere. These landscapes also help communities adapt to climate impacts by regulating water supplies, reducing flood risk and maintaining biodiversity. The Wilderness Society integrates climate science into our conservation work to ensure public lands are managed in ways that build long-term resilience for both nature and people. 

The Wilderness Act of 1964 is one of the most significant conservation laws in U.S. history. It established the National Wilderness Preservation System and created a legal framework for protecting wild lands from development in perpetuity. The Wilderness Society was a driving force behind the Act's passage, working alongside legislators and grassroots advocates over nearly a decade to get it signed into law. Today, the Act protects more than 111 million acres of designated wilderness across the country. 

The Wilderness Society recognizes that America's public lands include places of deep cultural and spiritual significance to Indigenous peoples, and that tribal nations have been stewards of these lands since time immemorial. We are committed to conservation approaches that honor tribal sovereignty, support Indigenous-led land stewardship, and build genuine partnerships with tribal nations. We believe protecting public lands and honoring Indigenous rights are complementary, not competing, goals. 

Besides donating, you can get involved by signing up for WildAlerts, which give you regular opportunities to take action for public lands, support conservation efforts, attend events and hold decision-makers accountable. 

Memberships start at $35 and include an annual 16-month wall calendar, a subscription to America's Wilderness, and updates about urgent threats to public lands and wilderness. Your membership also helps protect these places for future generations. Visit our member benefits page to compare options. 

Renew your Wilderness Society membership by visiting our membership renewal page and clicking "renew". 

Donations support ongoing place-based conservation work and campaigns across the country, as well as our policy work at national and state levels. The Wilderness Society holds a four-star rating on Charity Navigator — its highest — and meets all 20 accountability standards of the Better Business Bureau. Visit The Wilderness Society’s accountability page for detailed financial information.