THE WILDERNESS CONCEPT IN THE USA AND HOW IT CAME TO BE COMPARED TO OTHER COUNTRIES: THE SOUTH AFRICAN EXPERIENCE A PRESENTATION TO THE POTSDAM WILDERNESS SEMINAR - 5 - 8 NOVEMBER 2012.

There were influential voices as advocating for national parks in the early 1800s to protect the wild places and wildlife for the enjoyment of the American people. The establishment of the Yellowstone National Park in 1872, with other parks that followed, herald in the modern national park system. At the same time, there were those campaigning for areas to be designated where there were no facilities for the comfort of people to preserve the natural and wilderness character as wilderness areas. It was not until the US Congress passed the Wilderness Act in September 1964 before the national wilderness preservation system came into being.