Great Smoky Mountains National Park is hosting a celebration on Saturday, September 27, at Sugarlands Visitor Center in honor of the Wilderness Act, which was signed into law 50 years ago by President Lyndon Johnson.

The celebration will feature speaker Ed Zahniser, son of Howard Zhaniser, who was widely regarded as the “Father of the Wilderness Act.” Ed will speak about his father’s role in getting the Wilderness Act written and passed, as well as his family’s relationship with one of the founders of the Wilderness Society, Knoxville, Tennessee, attorney, Harvey Broome.

The Wilderness Act provides for the protection of lands “untrammeled by man” and “retaining its primeval character and influence, without permanent improvement or human habitation.” More than 109 million acres are currently protected as wilderness areas in 44 states.

“We are glad to be a part of recognizing and honoring the visionaries behind the Wilderness Act, many of whom roamed and found inspiration in the Smokies,” said Clay Jordan, acting superintendent of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

The day’s events will take place in the Sugarlands Visitor Center theater, from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. In addition, the Smoky Mountains Hiking Club will lead a strenuous day hike to Silers Bald on Sunday, September 28. All the activities are free and open to the public.

Ed Zahniser retired in June 2013 as the senior writer and editor with the National Park Service Publications Group in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. He writes and lectures frequently about wilderness, wildlands, public lands, and conservation history topics. Ed’s father, Howard Zahniser, was the principal author and chief lobbyist for the National Wilderness Preservation System Act of 1964. Ed edited his father’s Adirondack writings as “Where Wilderness Preservation Began: Adirondack Writings of Howard Zahniser” and collaborated with his sister, Karen Z. Bettacchi, to edit their mother’s journal of five wilderness car-camping trips that the family took in 1956 in “Ways to the Wilderness.”

Ed wrote sections of and editorially produced the official National Park Handbook on Great Smoky Mountains National Park. He also wrote and editorially produced three visitor information brochures for the park. In May 2014 Ed received the U.S. Department of the Interior Distinguished Service Award, the Department’s highest civilian honor. Also in May, The New York State Wilderness 50th Anniversary Committee presented Ed with a Wilderness Stewardship Award.

The park’s Wilderness Celebration schedule includes:

Saturday, September 27

* 9:30 a.m. Showing of the films “Wild By Law” and “Sanctuary”

* 11 a.m. One-hour panel discussion on how wilderness principles have guided park management through the years with long-time park volunteer, Ray Payne, President of the Smoky Mountains Hiking Club, Ed Fleming, author, historian, and expert on the life of Harvey Broome, Bill Hart. The discussion will be moderated by former park backcountry specialist, George Minnigh.

* 1 p.m. Keynote Speaker Presentation by author and editor, Ed Zahniser.

Sunday, September 28

* 8:30 a.m. The Smoky Mountains Hiking Club will be lead a hike from Clingmans Dome to Silers Bald. This scenic portion of the Appalachian Trail is part of the famous 1966 “Save Our Smokies Wilderness” hike led by Harvey Broome and others, during which more than 500 hikers came to or passed over Silers Bald. The return will be on the same trail with a strenuous, steady climb gaining around 1,200 feet in elevation. Only those prepared with proper clothing and in excellent physical condition should attempt this hike. Meet at Sugarlands Visitors Center in the west side parking area near the restrooms.

For more information about the event, please contact Sugarlands Visitor Center at 865-436-1291.