Society for Wilderness Stewardship

The Society for Wilderness Stewardship (SWS) is a U.S. non-profit organization dedicated to promoting excellence in the professional practice of wilderness stewardship, science, and education. Its mission is to ensure the life-sustaining benefits of wilderness areas across the United States.

Mission and Objectives

The SWS aims to develop and implement the gold standard for wilderness and natural resource management. It focuses on training a highly skilled workforce in wilderness stewardship and management, emphasizing high-level project management skills. The organization is committed to innovation, adapting to new challenges, and codifying successful practices into new standards. Additionally, it empowers individuals with the necessary skills and knowledge to advance land management objectives through education and capacity building.

Programs and Activities

• Wilderness Professionals: SWS works closely with federal agencies to manage wilderness areas, protecting recreation access such as hiking, fishing, and hunting.
• National Wilderness Workshop: The organization hosts this conference to bring together wilderness managers, researchers, and stewards to share knowledge and address wilderness issues.
• Workforce Training: SWS supports regional wilderness academies and skills training events to connect agency staff, partners, and volunteers.
• Capacity Building: Over the past two decades, SWS has worked in over 300 wilderness areas, enhancing government efficiency and creating jobs for wilderness programs.

The Dayen Program

The Dayen program involves highly skilled professionals providing in-depth knowledge on wilderness and natural resource stewardship and management. Participants in this program, often referred to as "Wilderness Dayens," are involved in projects such as producing Wilderness Character Baseline Assessments for local wilderness areas. This involves coordinating with Forest Service staff, writing assessments, setting project timelines and goals, and implementing inventory and monitoring strategies for tracking wilderness character.

Impact

Through strong partnerships and innovative approaches, SWS delivers measurable results that support the long-term management of the nation's wilderness areas. By conducting research, educating partners and the public, and collaborating with land managers nationwide, SWS ensures these lands are preserved for future generations.