Dear HCN,
I am offended by Louise
Liston’s statement, “I love the land, and it’s different from an
environmentalist’s love. We have a deep, abiding love; they have a
weekend love affair …” (HCN, 4/14/97). It is presumptuous to
assume that other people’s enjoyment of the nation’s public lands
is any less legitimate than one’s own. Where I live and work, I am
also surrounded by public lands. The forest and granite domes may
be part of “my” backyard, but it is definitely not “mine.”
That thousands of national forest visitors are
happy to set up tents in nearby mosquito-laden campgrounds for a
crowded holiday weekend of camping is no less valid and worthwhile
than my walking explorations in wilderness. What matters most is
that we all, each with our divergent views and backgrounds, work
together to protect this precious heritage, and support the public
agencies entrusted with land management.
My
annual trip to Utah is a spiritual pilgrimage for me. I look
forward to the lovely descending trill of the canyon wren, the
smell of sagebrush, sunset glow on sandstone and mysterious
pictographs in hidden recesses. It is not required to reside on the
land to legitimize one’s respect for and appreciation of its values
and beauty. Since much of our public lands are so fragile, it is
best that most of us live elsewhere and just visit
occasionally.
Once when I was guiding some
international foresters on a walk in the Ancient Bristlecone Pine
Forest – Inyo National Forest, California – an arboretum manager
from Turkey stood apart from the group, his expression sad. Tears
filled his eyes. He quietly said to me that he was overwhelmed by
the extent and beauty of the American Western forests and parks,
then added, “Most Americans do not know nor appreciate what they
have. All they think about is exploiting the resource. If they are
not careful, this all could become like Turkey, where we lost our
forests hundreds of years ago.” I shall never forget his
admonition.
Joan
Benner
Shaver Lake,
California
The writer works as
a wilderness and recreation manager for the Sierra National
Forest.
This article appeared in the print edition of the magazine with the headline This land is our land.
Republish our articles for free, online or in print, under a Creative Commons license.
