Is "preserving" the same as keeping wild?

In today's class, and continuing for next few classes, we discussed the concept of wildness in relation to the mining and logging practices that have taken place in the Adirondacks over the last two centuries. Many arguments against the practices, obviously, invoke the age-old ideology of "Forever Wild" that rules the area. In response, of course, are those who are reliant on the jobs and industry that the practices bring with them. The real debate boils down to the environmental impact that the mining and logging have on the area, but it's not nearly so black and white as it might seem. The simplified issues an outsider might see are these: People need jobs and the area needs a sustainable economy, BUT the logging and mining in the area drastically alters the landscape in (presumably) a negative way. But at closer investigation the argument gets muddy. While clear-cutting timber does aggressively change the landscape, the wildlife don't always suffer for it. Deer flourish in sparsely-wooded areas, fallen timber is scavenged by beavers who can't necessarily fell a big hardwood, small rodents and medium-sized predators tend to prefer scraggly undergrowth to hide and hunt in over bare-floored forests. As we discussed today, some mining operations (garnets) accrue very little waste, and most of that is re-purposed for road-building. Sustainable timber practices are becoming the norm. Even unsightly mining shafts become the perfect habitat for bats (which control the insect population) and other nocturnal creatures. Obviously this debate is far from over, but I believe there is an attainable compromise in the near future. Yes, mines aren't necessarily pretty, but they're often out of the public eye, and shallow mine pits can be re-covered with soil once they've stopped producing, which would greatly increase their rebound rate. Brutal logging may have a drastic affect on the forest but regulated, sustainable logging can encourage future growth, and young forests actually encourage the diversity of Adirondack wildlife. The Adirondacks are a precious commodity for those of us devoted to wilderness, but we can't deny the profitability of the space. In a country and a time that needs all the economic help it can get, pretending our wilderness isn't a source of jobs and resources is only detrimental to a place that deserves plenty of attention.