Hello- My name is Jonathan Brown. I'm a reporter with Colorado Public Radio and I'm working on a story about federal designations of wilderness.
I'm trying to get a scientific/empirical response to this question: "What do federal wilderness designations do?" We already know they prevent road building, construction of any kind, motorized use, drilling, mining, timber harvesting and humans can only visit, not remain. But what - if anything - is the result of all this? Are the air and water cleaner? Fauna and flora healthier somehow? Do wilderness areas protect headwaters, as many proponents claim? Again, I'm looking for an empirical response to these questions and I'm hoping someone out there can provide substantive answers. Thank you- Jonathan Brown Colorado Public Radio (303) 871-9191 x 456 jbr...@cpr.org
