The Gila is the birthplace of Wilderness
SILVER CITY, NM, May 20, 2024 – May 29 through June 2, the Gila National Forest will celebrate the centennial anniversary of the Gila Wilderness. The week will be packed with activities and events highlighting the value of Wilderness in our modern lives, and giving thanks for the foresight of Aldo Leopold and Forest Service leadership in designating the world's first area designated as such; the Gila Wilderness was created June 3, 1924.
At the end of this month, along with our communities and partners, we will celebrate 100 years of the first designated wilderness in the National Forest System. Wilderness is a place where the imprint of man's work is substantially unnoticeable, in contrast with those areas where man and his own works dominate the landscape. "Please help us celebrate the wild, rugged and beautiful Gila Wilderness" said Gila National Forest Supervisor Camille Howes. Join us in Silver City as we explore the awe-inspiring beauty, the quiet isolation, and the different ways that diverse cultures experience and understand the Gila Wilderness.
The forest and a large collaborative of community partners have developed a speaker series, to occur on May 29, 30, and 31, followed by Centennial Day on June 1, and screenings of films by New Mexico State University students of the Gila Film School on June 1 and 2.
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May 29, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at Cobre High School Performing Arts Center in Santa Clara, NM
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Speaker Series: In Pursuit of Wilderness - Moderated by Karl Malcolm, MeatEater host and Forest Service wilderness expert, a diverse panel explores the timeless connection between hunters and the land; what role wilderness plays in sustaining that, and how it falls short.
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May 30, 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at Silco Theater in Silver City, NM
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Speaker Series: Wilderness Photography talk/photo display – Featuring Grant County locals Jay Hemphill and Michael P. Berman talk about their extensive experiences in the Gila Wilderness and the photographs that capture these moments.
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May 31, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at Silco Theater in Silver City, NM
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Speaker Series: Seeking Definitions – Featuring a diverse panel seeking to define what wilderness is, catalogue its formation, and explore varying perspectives on who it serves and who it leaves out.
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May 31, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. at Silco Theater in Silver City, NM
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Speaker Series: A Century of Wilderness – A panel seeks to explore how the concept of wilderness spread across the world and understand the shape of modern wilderness management.
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May 31, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at Silco Theater in Silver City, NM
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Speaker Series: Land Stewardship Across Cultures – A panel seeks to explore what lessons can be learned from other stewards' best practices.
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June 1, 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at Gough Park in Silver City, NM
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Centennial Day at Gough Park – Celebrate 100 years of wilderness with those who hold it dear. Join us in the morning and afternoon on June 1 for a family friendly event featuring partner booths, VIP speakers, interactive games, a cross-cut saw competition, art, food, vendors, and more.
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June 1, 4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at Silco Theater in Silver City, NM
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Gila Film Festival, featuring seven films created by 13 talented New Mexico State University students who participated in an immersive, two-semester program focused on the Gila Wilderness. These films will tell compelling stories reflecting the unique natural, cultural, and conservation history of the Gila, including indigenous and Latino history.
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June 2, 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. at Silco Theater in Silver City, NM
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Matinee screening of Gila Film Festival, featuring seven films created by 13 talented New Mexico State University students who participated in an immersive, two-semester program focused on the Gila Wilderness. These films will tell compelling stories reflecting the unique natural, cultural, and conservation history of the Gila, including indigenous and Latino history.
In addition to these events, there are other opportunities to celebrate the Gila Wilderness centennial with communities and at locations around the Gila National Forest. See the full events calendar for these dates and more at https://www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/gila/learning/history-culture/?cid=fseprd1166703 . For more information contact Maribeth Pecotte at 575-388-8211 or
