What do student-produced documentaries, a crosscut saw competition and cultural performances all have in common? The answer: the 2024 Centennial Anniversary of the Gila Wilderness, the first designated Wilderness in the world!

The story of the Gila Wilderness is intrinsically tied to the vision and foresight of Aldo Leopold, a pioneering conservationist and a USDA Forest Service employee. However, Leopold was far from the only person to understand the importance and value of the Gila Wilderness. The Gila Wilderness was established on June 3, 1924, as the world's first designated Wilderness area. Forty years later, the Wilderness Act of 1964 formally defined Wilderness areas as “untrammeled by man, where man himself is only a visitor and who does not remain.”

Through a weekend-long series of events held May 31st – June 2nd, a diverse community, including locals, conservationists, Indigenous voices and even film students from New Mexico State University, contributed to the rich tapestry of stories about the Gila Wilderness.

This celebratory weekend encompassed the collaborative spirit Leopold envisioned, one that also embraced the spirit of learning and collaboration. One of the many event highlights was the celebration held at Gough Park in Silver City, New Mexico, which included family-friendly activities, pack animal demonstrations, cultural displays, and a friendly crosscut saw competition – to name a few.

During the crosscut saw competition, which attracted quite the crowd, teams showcased their timed log-cutting skills and camaraderie. However, it wasn’t just about who finished the quickest; it was about the shared knowledge passed down through generations. While chainsaws may be faster, the crosscut saw still remains an essential tool in wilderness management today. Trail crews use them to clear fallen trees and maintain pathways and they embody the spirit of wilderness – a place of self-reliance, respect for nature, and a connection to the land through hard work and dedication.

Culture takes center stage

Cultural performances were at the heart of the centennial weekend festivities. Gough Park pulsed with the vibrant energy of cultural performances by the local Mescalero Apache and Fort Sill Chiricahua Warm Springs Apache Tribes, whose history is deeply intertwined within the Gila Forest. The cultural performances weren’t merely a source of entertainment; they were a powerful expression of their connection to the land and a call to respect its delicate balance.

The evocative rhythm of the music served as a bridge between the past and present, reminding visitors of the Gila’s longstanding cultural history and significance.

Members of the audience joined the Fort Sill Chiricahua Warm Springs Apache Tribe during several social dances performed during the celebration. The Mescalero Apache Tribe also kept the celebration vibrant with a repertoire of dances, including a round dance, a warrior dance honoring all veterans, and a courting dance.

Learning from the past, charting the course for the future

The Gila Centennial weekend wasn’t just about commemorating the past; it was a call to action for the future. A thought-provoking speaker series provided a platform for the diverse voices that cherish the Gila’s legacy. Renowned conservationists, historians, Tribal representatives, and others shared their unique perspectives on the Gila’s history and the longstanding debate of what Wilderness means.

“Wilderness: Explorations in Understanding” set the stage with a historical lens. Aldo Leopold biographer Curt Meine offered insights into the philosophical underpinnings of the Wilderness Act and Leopold’s vision for preserving wild places. LatinX and environmental writer Priscilla Solis Ybarra brought a unique perspective, highlighting the historical exclusion of minority voices in conservation movements. Leanna Torres, a writer and former trout biologist, shared firsthand experiences of managing the threatened Gila trout species within the Wilderness and how she now visits the Gila in a different capacity: as a mother to a young child.

During the speaker series “A Century of Wilderness,” Melissa Green, a Gila trail steward; Doug Scott, wilderness historian; Doug Hulmes, professor emeritus of environmental studies; and retired Bureau of Land Management Wilderness Specialist, Chris Barns discussed the evolution of wilderness management and its challenges. They also provided some deeper context into the Wilderness Act and why it was set aside in the first place.

The final session, “Land Relationships Across Cultures,” emphasized collaboration. Theresa Pasqual, Tribal historian and conservationist from Acoma Pueblo of New Mexico, echoed a sentiment throughout the series: “We need to be more inclusive of voices that often get left out of the conversation.” Michael Darrow, Fort Sill Apache historian and Corey Torivio, Continental Divide Trail Coalition representative and founder of Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps further underscored the crucial role of Indigenous communities in shaping the Gila’s future, the importance of cultural preservation alongside stewardship, and teaching the next generation that we are in this together.

“We need to be able to understand that in order for us to create a better space, we need to start with our children. Teach them that important value that we’re all forgetting – that we’re in this together,” said Torivio.

Replays of each speaker series have been made available.

Gila on the big screen

Film also played a pivotal role in fostering understanding and collaboration. The premiere of short films by the Gila Film School, consisting of New Mexico State University film students who spent 12 days in the Gila Wilderness, also fostered learning, understanding, and hope.

The Gila Film School documentaries chronicle the Gila’s diverse ecosystems, rich history, and brought the wilderness to life for many visitors. These films not only celebrate the Gila’s natural beauty, but also shed light on many topics including the area’s unique biodiversity, the crucial role Indigenous communities have played in shaping the landscape for millennia, fire management, and the role fire plays in the Gila. View all eight of the student-made films.

Through this first-of-its-kind program, the Gila will be brought to life for many fourth graders across New Mexico. The films and teaching materials will be sent to classrooms across the state with the hope of fostering a connection to nature and introducing stewardship at such an impressionable age.

“While the Gila Wilderness Centennial weekend may be over, it’s a lot more fulfilling to think of this as the start” said Ryan Merrell, the Gila Wilderness Centennial Coordinator when addressing the audience at the Gila Film School premiere.

By celebrating the Wilderness through shared experiences and diverse perspectives, we underscore the importance of collaboration and shared responsibility in protecting this Wilderness area and others for the next century.

Visit the Gila Centennial page for more information on the Gila Wilderness and other Centennial-themed events happening throughout the year. Watch the event video on YouTube to learn more.