Wilderness vs. wilderness study area - what's the difference?

As stewards of wilderness, it's incumbent upon us to help tell the story of wilderness, why it exist and what it provides in terms of life-sustaining benefits. As someone who's been involved in wilderness conservation, stewardship, education and management for many years, I know firsthand just how few in the recreating public understand the differences in wilderness, wilderness study area or even backcountry. To many, these are all just "the outdoor" or "nature" - a place to escape the day to day grind. However, when you drill down into the specifics, things can get complicated.

The wilderness stewardship community simply has to do a better job of telling the story of wilderness in addition to supporting proper stewardship and management of existing wilderness.

A recent article in the Macon County News, based in Franklin, NC, explored the ramifications of moving from a wilderness study area designation to congressionally designated wilderness. From the article:

The issue will likely be raised again at the next meeting of the board on Tuesday, but at this point, commissioners say it is still unclear how the change in designation from Wilderness Study Area to Wilderness Area, which requires an act of Congress, would change the way the area is managed. Any resolution passed by the commissioners would be non-binding, but would be forwarded on to Congressman Heath Shuler (D) for his consideration.

The Overflow Wilderness Study Area is a 3,200 acre tract of land in Blue Valley, south of Highlands, N.C. Several conservation groups, as well as the Town of Highlands, are advocating that it be renamed and reassigned as the Bob Zahner Wilderness area.

The 3,200 acre tract of land in Blue Valley was first established as a Wilderness Study Area in 1984 with the passage of North Carolina’s last wilderness bill. Overflow Creek feeds into the headwaters of the Chattooga River. The study area includes areas of old-growth, hardwood forest, and is a rich, diverse habitat for the region’s flora and fauna.

Read the full article here: http://www.maconnews.com/outdoors/295-commissioners-unclear-on-significance-of-wilderness-designation