In 1924, due to Aldo Leopold's (an American environmentalist) efforts
as a Forest Service employee, the Gila National Forest in New Mexico became the
world's first designated wilderness. This designation allows travel only by
foot or horseback and bans any commercial activity except grazing in order to
protect the usefulness of the wilderness for cleaning air and reducing climate change,
as well as providing clean water, wildlife habitat, and natural recreational
experiences. (Adapted from ‘The New York Times ‘Smarter by Sunday – 52 Weekends
of Essential Knowledge for the Curious Mind’)
