Mike Painter | San Francisco, CA

Mike Painter is the Coordinator of Californians for Western Wilderness.

Why does wilderness matter to you?

I've been camping since I was 4 months old, so wilderness is not something I discovered. It's actually a part of me, having grown up with it. And over those years growing up, I came to learn that it's important to other people, too, for spiritual "escape" and recreation, a source of clean water and air, home to wildlife, and places of unparalleled scenery.

Just knowing it's there is important.

Why does wilderness matter to your community?

It affords people the opportunity to get away from the trappings of modern life, to slow down a bit, to see Mother Nature for themselves—directly and unimpeded by a screen in front of their faces.

What are your hopes for the future of wilderness?

My hope is that people continue to appreciate the necessity of wilderness for its practical uses, but more importantly its intangible values. That people will teach their children and students to respect it. That people vote for politicians who respect the intrinsic value of wilderness rather than seeking ways to exploit it for financial gain. That people go out and enjoy it!