Wilderness is a mystical idea that is an intangible resource. Wallace Stegner writes to David Pesonen about the conservation of wilderness in his “Wilderness Letter.” Stegner takes a moderate view on conservation. What he believes, is to leave the virgin woods virgin, to leave the untouched, untouched. This idea is different in the sense that other environmentalists and politicians either take a liberal or conservative view on the human utilization of nature. Should we replant trees or should we be cutting down these trees? This is a simple example of what is being debated upon, whereas Stegner sees neither of those as an option. Because Stegner offers the most realistic, minimalistic approach to the conservation conversation, his methods
