10 Reasons To Go WILD This 4th of July

The 4th of July is the day we celebrate the United States’ independence as a sovereign nation. Cookouts and fireworks are great, but do they really capture the American spirit of independence? What better way to celebrate the freedoms so valued in this country than to get out in some place wild, free, and unspoiled over this holiday weekend? I’m talking about wilderness, America’s greatest heritage. Like the truths in our Declaration of Independence, this notion should be self-evident. In case you need further convincing, however, here are 10 reasons to go WILD this 4th of July:

1. America has always known its wilderness spaces were its greatest assets. While Europe had grand cathedrals and Asia had ancient architecture, America’s greatness was best expressed by spacious skies, amber waves of grain, purple mountain majesties, fruited plains, and shining seas. 
2. Hot dogs taste best over a campfire.
3. Who needs fireworks when you have naturally psychedelic sunsets and shooting stars?
4. When you visit and support a wilderness space, you are honoring some of America’s greatest heroes and champions of public lands from Thomas Jefferson to Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt to John F. Kennedy. 
5. July is HOT and wild streams are cold.
6. You are supporting American jobs. According to the Outdoor Industry Association, the outdoor recreation economy supports 6.1 million jobs.
7. You are embodying the pioneer spirit that built this country and shaped our values.
8. Because our National Park System truly is America’s Best Idea, as Ken Burns so aptly reminds us. 
9. Watching a parade through town is nice. Experiencing a parade of natural wonders is sublime. 
10. You might just spot a bald eagle in its natural habitat, our national bird, national emblem, and the proud symbol of America's strength of character and freedom of spirit.

For information about finding wilderness spaces near you, good places to start are the National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management, or the Wilderness Society. GO WILD!

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