WGA Mission Statement

The Wilderness Guides Association (WGA) exists to support and promote professional wilderness guiding through clear standards, ethical conduct and responsible leadership in remote and wilderness environments.

Remote wilderness landscape within the WGA framework

Aerial view of remote wilderness terrain

Human scale within a wilderness environment

Wilderness guiding context in remote terrain

Purpose

The purpose of the WGA is to provide a professional framework for wilderness guides, instructors and organisations operating in commercially organised and professional guiding contexts.

This framework is designed to improve safety, consistency and professionalism across regions, environments and operational models.

Professional standards

The WGA develops and maintains standards that define scope of practice, responsibility and competence for wilderness guiding.

These standards recognise that guiding takes place in complex and dynamic environments, where experience, judgment and decision-making are critical.

Ethics and responsibility

Ethical conduct is central to the mission of the WGA.

All members are expected to operate in line with the WGA Code of Ethics, which defines professional behaviour, integrity and responsibility toward clients, colleagues and the environments in which guides operate.

The WGA promotes honest representation of skills and limitations, responsible risk management and respect for natural and cultural contexts.

Professional development

The WGA recognises wilderness guiding as a professional and developmental discipline.

Progression within the WGA framework is based on demonstrated competence, documented experience and reflective practice, rather than speed, volume or commercial pressure.

Community and cooperation

The WGA aims to foster a professional community of guides, instructors and organisations who share responsibility for maintaining and improving guiding standards.

This includes cooperation across ecoregions, training pathways and operational contexts, while respecting regional differences and expertise.

Long-term vision

The long-term mission of the WGA is to contribute to a professional guiding culture in which wilderness travel is conducted responsibly, safely and with respect for future generations.

By maintaining clear standards and ethical foundations, the WGA seeks to support the long-term credibility and integrity of wilderness guiding as a profession.