“Wilderness is the landscape which contains only the plants and animals native to it. Where man is alone with the living earth. Where there is neither fixed nor mechanical artifact. Once this environment was everywhere, now only relics remain. Yet in these places are the original bonds between man and the earth. In these are the roots of all religion, history, art, and science. In renewing these links lies the enduring value of wilderness to man.” J.M. Feely
The Wilderness Foundation UK is a registered charity headed by Jo Roberts. Founded in 1976 by Dr. Ian Player DMS, international conservationist renowned for saving the white rhino from extinction, and the late Sir Laurens van der Post, writer, explorer and philosopher, we are an environmental education and experience organisation, dedicated to preserving the last of the worlds wild places.
We increase understanding of the value of wilderness by offering direct experience of wild places through our trails programmes and through social projects that demonstrate how wilderness offers a vital key to the education and health of society and individuals.
Understanding wilderness and wild lands as a positive force for social and environmental sustainability, our work has been pioneering – vulnerable youth, as well as political and community decision makers, have experienced the irreplaceable qualities of wilderness directly and the rediscovery of identity, perspective and leadership skills it stimulates.
The Wilderness Foundation UK’s work is concentrated on three areas:
Education, Leadership and Advocacy Development through our Wilderness Trails
Health and Wellbeing for the Individual and Society through our Social Programmes
Wilderness and Wild Lands Protection through our Wilderness Action
We work for wilderness, wildlife and people.
