9月3日 - 《荒野法》周年纪念日
At times, escaping the hustle and bustle can be a most appealing option. Thanks to environmentalists like Howard Zahniser, Americans have been fortunate enough to realize this dream in one of the country's many wilderness areas. Although conservation efforts such as creating national forests began in the late 19th century, by the 1960s, original wilderness areas had dwindled to a mere 2.5% of the nation's total land area. To reverse this trend, Zahniser drafted numerous protective provisions that later became a significant part of the Wilderness Act. The act was signed into law on September 3, 1964, by President Lyndon B. Johnson and now safeguards over 1.09 billion acres of land – roughly 5% of America's total land area. The crystal lake depicted in the image is situated within one such protected zone. Located in Washington state's mountainous region, this “magical realm” boasts an astonishing array of natural wonders: over 700 lakes and ponds, as well as some of the best rock climbing spots on the American West coast. This habitat also serves as a sanctuary for high-altitude goats, ravens, rabbits, and various alpine flora. However, if you wish to witness the breathtaking scenery of these mountain lakes in all their glory, be prepared for a wait – one that may test your patience. Daytime hiking permits are scarce, with only 2558 out of 40,000 participants in last year's nighttime permit lottery receiving permission.
有时候，逃离尘嚣也是一个不错的选择。多亏了环保主义者霍华德·扎尼泽，美国人才可以在该国众多的荒野之一中实现这一愿望。尽管创建国家森林公园等保护工作始于19世纪末，但到1960年代，原始的荒野面积已减少到仅占全国土地面积的2.5%。为了扭转这一趋势，扎尼泽起草了许多保护性条款，它们后来成为《荒野法》的大部分内容。该法案于1964年9月3日由林登·约翰逊总统签署成为法律，如今保护着超1.09亿英亩的土地——占美国土地的5%。 图中所示的水晶湖就位于这样一个保护区内。它坐落于华盛顿州的高山湖泊，这个“魔幻仙境”拥有700多个湖泊和池塘，以及美国西部一些最佳的攀岩地点。这里也是高山山羊、雷鸟、鼠兔以及多种高山花卉的家园。不过，如果您想亲眼目睹高山湖泊的风光，就得做好等待的准备。不但日间徒步旅行的许可证很少，而且去年参加过夜许可证抽签的40,000人中，只有2558人获得了许可证。