Americans feel a strong connection to distant wild lands, even if they never visit such national treasures as the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Everglades, or the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

And we want more lands protected as wilderness, though many of us have never been to a wilderness area. According to a 2003 Zogby poll, more than two-thirds of respondents believe that 10 percent or more of all lands in the United States should be protected as wilderness.

Why do we care? What's with this mysterious, spiritual connection to wilderness that so many of us have? What would happen if we asked high school students to think about, perhaps discover, and then write about their connection to wilderness? Those were the questions we asked in 2002 when we began a project called Living for the Wild.

Through a generous grant from the Anne Larsen Simonson/Larsen Fund, a curriculum called Living for the Wild was developed by Friends, and sent throughout Minnesota to 244 teachers, grades 9 thru 12, who requested it for the 2005-2006 school year. The curriculum prepares students to write their essays, and it includes all necessary background materials for teachers, including contest rules. [View complete contest rules.]

Participating teachers nominated the top two essays per class and forwarded them to Friends for judging, two winners per grade. Nominated essays were based on the author’s: 1) writing skill; 2) originality; and 3) ability to make the connection between “everyday” outdoor places and more distant wild and natural places. Winners were contacted in May 2006. Each winner was awarded a $500 U.S. Savings Bond.

We received 50 essays from students in grades 9 thru 12. During two rounds of judging six winners were chosen -- two each from grades 9, 10, and 12.

To read winning essays, see Essay Contest Winners.

Friends has not decided how to proceed with the curriculum for school year 2006-2007. Whether or not we run the contest again, we would like Living for the Wild to become a successful curriculum and tool to help students understand their mysterious, spiritual connection to wilderness.

To request a free copy of the Living for the Wild curriculum, contact Friends at (612) 332-9630.

Introduction to Living for the Wild

Lesson One: Introducing Place
This lesson focuses on introducing students to the concept of “place.” They will understand that many people have an outdoor place that holds significant meaning for them.

Lesson Two: Developing Concept of Place
This lesson explores how “place” can be a significant part of a person’s life, where one relaxes, meditates, and reflects. Students will learn that “place” can mean different things to people, and that they have an everyday outdoor place important to them.

Lesson Three: Understanding Wild and Natural Places
This lesson concentrates on the Wilderness Act of 1964 and how it defines “wilderness.” Students will learn how people have different definitions of “wilderness.”

Lesson Four: Linking 'Everyday' and Wild and Natural Places
This lesson discusses the importance of wild and natural places, and culminates in an essay written by each student in which he or she underlines the important link between “everyday outdoor” places and wild and natural places.

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