Abe Levy | Bonita Springs, FL

Abe Levy is an environmental activist in Estero Bay, Bonita Springs, Florida.

Why does wilderness matter to you?

"Henry David Thoreau wrote his essay Walking in 1862 in which he said:

IN WILDNESS IS THE PRESERVATION OF THE WORLD.

After a life filled with the restorative powers of Wildness and federally defined Wilderness as defined by The Wilderness Act of 1964, I treasure every single acre set aside from human activity, not for human use, but simply to save this planet and the lives of our species and all those species with which we are privileged to share the planet."

Share a story about a special experience you have had in wilderness.

Every day that I have spent walking in a forest or a meadow or climbing a hill or ridge or mountain or sleeping in a tent or under the stars has restored my soul and helped me to arrive at 83 years of age in good health.

What are your hopes for the future of wilderness?

Earlier in my life, I had hoped to see 1/3 of every state and country set aside as Wilderness as defined by the Wilderness Act of 1964. While the current federal government and many state governments are doing everything possible to decrease Wilderness, I remain hopeful and pray that we can get back on the path of increasing Wilderness preservation.