Ian Player, founder of The WILD Foundation, The World Wilderness Congress and the organizations of The Wilderness Network, delivered a moving keynote address during the opening ceremonies of the 8th World Wilderness Congress (2005, Anchorage, Alaska). Player, one of the world's most accomplished conservationists, speaks adamantly about the spiritual values of wild-nature and the importance of wild-nature to the human soul. Ian brings all of these parts of himself to bear on a single mission: to assure that wilderness remains a constant reality, and a source of spiritual inspiration, prosperity and fundamental physical life on planet Earth - and this commitment is evident in his speech.