Zane Lawyer, Catskill Forest Association’s Education Arborist, will give a talk on the evolving meaning of wilderness throughout American history and its meaning for the Catskills. 

Following the presentation, a wide-ranging, open discussion of wilderness with the audience will help to further clarify the role of humans in the environment. 

Participants are encouraged to tell their own stories, perspectives, and first-hand experiences of wilderness and how their own understanding has or hasn’t changed over time.

Recommended readings for discussion:

1. The Trouble with Wilderness or, Getting Back to the Wrong Nature by William Cronon [shorter read]

2. A Sand County Almanac by Aldo Leopold [medium read]

3. Wilderness and the American Mind by Roderick Frasier Nash [longer read]