In Mark Elbroch's book *The Cougar Conundrum* he makes a similar point about state fish and game agencies. I was sort of aware of this through my work as a tracker (somewhere between a hobby and a vocation) and associated volunteer conservation work, but it really is something a lot of people don't know.
This is a very inspiring post! I'll be in Colorado most of this year and from what I've been told, the state F&W commissioners here are some of the best you'll find anywhere, in terms of wildlife protection. It helps that the governor's husband is an animal advocate too. The referendum to forbid trophy hunting of big cats failed, unfortunately, but wolf reintroduction is still happening.
Colorado definitely seems to have some better policies toward wildlife, and an involved and caring public, too. I can't wait to hear/see your botanical observations from there. I love Colorado.
Good ideas and helpful guidance for pursuing action at local level. I didn't know that most wildlife decisions are made by the state, even on Federal Lands! Thank you Rebecca for sharing your expertise.
Leslie, thank you! Isn't it an odd system?--but it's the one we've got, and in times when the federal government is a disaster, at least we can have some input into things locally. 💚
Thank you for this fine newsletter, Rebecca! I would also add that we can help restore wildness and health in the urban places where most of us live by learning to remove and remediate invasive species, especially non-native, invasive plants, which play a huge role in de-stabilizing ecosystems. Reintroducing native plants to our yards, parks, and other public landscapes is an excellent way to restore the health of those landscapes, and to reconnect we humans with the natural "terroir" of where we live. Time spent getting to know and work with nature nearby is a wonderful way to lift our spirits and fill our hearts and souls.
You are so right, Susan. Thank you for this. My own conversion of urban lawn to semi-wild native plant garden has been one of the most spiritually rewarding things I've ever done!
Have you written about it? I find that writing about restoring nature nearby is enormously inspiring to others. (Especially with before and after photos!)
This newsletter continues to focus energy via straightforward and factual reporting on what must be the greatest human priority: protecting the earth from further degradation and the greed and carelessness of those who would profit from extracting, removal, stripping our environment of its life-giving essence .....here in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan one already gazes protectively out onto Lake Superior wondering when the plunderers will come for its water
having sucked it dry elsewhere with no proper oversight
Keep an eye on that lake. The current administration just ordered the Army Corps of Engineers to release a ton of water from California reservoirs for no apparent purpose other than to show it can.
Right on, Rebecca. My experience is that direct defense of our local vulnerable places is where we are most effective. There, we have the land nearby to center and bless the work. And I agree about not wasting our time on Dem v. Repub, left v. right drama. Either side seems completely willing to trash the earth if it fits their program. Nature should be a haven from ideology, not a place to enforce it. And yeah, it can be tedious, attending commissioner meetings and the like, but it's necessary. Thanks for being one of those showing up.
And you, Rob. I know how soul-sucking it is to keep up on the work of WA's forestry board. I have been peripherally involved with their work, and heavily involved with Oregon's Board of Forestry. Seems like maybe Upthegrove will do better for you than Hilary Franz. Fingers crossed.
Wonderful post Rebecca! Although optimistic by nature, I'm very dispairing at the moment. Although I tell myself no administration can ruin a country in four years, this one seems intent on doing just that in a planned-out, methodical and relentless attack on our institutions, our alliances, our reputation, our values, our land, our freedoms...it goes on and on. It's almost like seeing a country trying consciously to destroy itself. I knew this administration would be bad, but the reality is far worse than anyone could have anticipated. Sad and tragic times lie ahead for us I fear.
I agree, Michael. I am willing myself into some sort of optimism, even though the facts on the ground would counsel otherwise. It's chaotic and dark now. I just keeping looking for where we can still have an effect.
We live within a National Forest on the edge of a protected federal wilderness. I am grateful we live in a blue state, but red gained ground in all but 2 counties in Nov. We live here because of the quiet, the access to solitude, dark skies and ample wildlife. Despite being in a blue state, the area I am in has mostly red representatives -state, county, and city - and they (along with 50% of the citizens) are fighting for a large mine on the edge of the wilderness and within its watershed.
Everyone focuses only on the water quality but I am also concerned for the old-growth forest, sensitive boreal ecosystems, and the assault from the lights, traffic, sounds, and dust that'll come with a large mine in a rural, remote area. I support groups that are fighting it, both in public and in court. I can understand that urban officials have no connection to Nature anymore. But local officials have lived here a long time, one of them has been a wilderness guide for many decades. How they can not want to protect it boggles my mind. It's going to be a long 4 years. At this point, I question whether we will ever return to a sane, normal way of governing. People are addicted to suffering and chaos. Watching people cheer for their own destruction is bizarre.
I agree we'll need to go around the govt. Not just with supporting causes but in building communities; building the way of life we want to see. It's a great way to have something positive to focus on. Here, we have a folk school that teaches traditional skills, and they are connecting people looking for a trade and skills-based economy. It's quite nice to spend time with like-minded people in a community atmosphere.
In Mark Elbroch's book *The Cougar Conundrum* he makes a similar point about state fish and game agencies. I was sort of aware of this through my work as a tracker (somewhere between a hobby and a vocation) and associated volunteer conservation work, but it really is something a lot of people don't know.
It's definitely an underappreciated function of state governments; I think a lot more people would get involved if it were more widely known.
Thank you, Rebecca, for your environmental advocacy and fine journalism. Have a blessed day and, hopefully, spend at least part of it in nature. Gregg
Same to you, doctor.
This is a very inspiring post! I'll be in Colorado most of this year and from what I've been told, the state F&W commissioners here are some of the best you'll find anywhere, in terms of wildlife protection. It helps that the governor's husband is an animal advocate too. The referendum to forbid trophy hunting of big cats failed, unfortunately, but wolf reintroduction is still happening.
Colorado definitely seems to have some better policies toward wildlife, and an involved and caring public, too. I can't wait to hear/see your botanical observations from there. I love Colorado.
Good ideas and helpful guidance for pursuing action at local level. I didn't know that most wildlife decisions are made by the state, even on Federal Lands! Thank you Rebecca for sharing your expertise.
Leslie, thank you! Isn't it an odd system?--but it's the one we've got, and in times when the federal government is a disaster, at least we can have some input into things locally. 💚
Thank you for this fine newsletter, Rebecca! I would also add that we can help restore wildness and health in the urban places where most of us live by learning to remove and remediate invasive species, especially non-native, invasive plants, which play a huge role in de-stabilizing ecosystems. Reintroducing native plants to our yards, parks, and other public landscapes is an excellent way to restore the health of those landscapes, and to reconnect we humans with the natural "terroir" of where we live. Time spent getting to know and work with nature nearby is a wonderful way to lift our spirits and fill our hearts and souls.
You are so right, Susan. Thank you for this. My own conversion of urban lawn to semi-wild native plant garden has been one of the most spiritually rewarding things I've ever done!
Have you written about it? I find that writing about restoring nature nearby is enormously inspiring to others. (Especially with before and after photos!)
I'm grateful as ever for your watchful eye and thoughtful guidance.
Janisse, thank you for taking a minute to comment. Your words mean more than you can know, and give me motivation to push on.
An excellent and informative post. Thank you Rebecca.
Dave, thank you for reading and taking some time to comment. It's so appreciated and helps me keep the chin up.
This newsletter continues to focus energy via straightforward and factual reporting on what must be the greatest human priority: protecting the earth from further degradation and the greed and carelessness of those who would profit from extracting, removal, stripping our environment of its life-giving essence .....here in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan one already gazes protectively out onto Lake Superior wondering when the plunderers will come for its water
having sucked it dry elsewhere with no proper oversight
Keep an eye on that lake. The current administration just ordered the Army Corps of Engineers to release a ton of water from California reservoirs for no apparent purpose other than to show it can.
Great stuff, Rebecca. Thanks!
Right on, Rebecca. My experience is that direct defense of our local vulnerable places is where we are most effective. There, we have the land nearby to center and bless the work. And I agree about not wasting our time on Dem v. Repub, left v. right drama. Either side seems completely willing to trash the earth if it fits their program. Nature should be a haven from ideology, not a place to enforce it. And yeah, it can be tedious, attending commissioner meetings and the like, but it's necessary. Thanks for being one of those showing up.
And you, Rob. I know how soul-sucking it is to keep up on the work of WA's forestry board. I have been peripherally involved with their work, and heavily involved with Oregon's Board of Forestry. Seems like maybe Upthegrove will do better for you than Hilary Franz. Fingers crossed.
Wonderful post Rebecca! Although optimistic by nature, I'm very dispairing at the moment. Although I tell myself no administration can ruin a country in four years, this one seems intent on doing just that in a planned-out, methodical and relentless attack on our institutions, our alliances, our reputation, our values, our land, our freedoms...it goes on and on. It's almost like seeing a country trying consciously to destroy itself. I knew this administration would be bad, but the reality is far worse than anyone could have anticipated. Sad and tragic times lie ahead for us I fear.
I agree, Michael. I am willing myself into some sort of optimism, even though the facts on the ground would counsel otherwise. It's chaotic and dark now. I just keeping looking for where we can still have an effect.
We live within a National Forest on the edge of a protected federal wilderness. I am grateful we live in a blue state, but red gained ground in all but 2 counties in Nov. We live here because of the quiet, the access to solitude, dark skies and ample wildlife. Despite being in a blue state, the area I am in has mostly red representatives -state, county, and city - and they (along with 50% of the citizens) are fighting for a large mine on the edge of the wilderness and within its watershed.
Everyone focuses only on the water quality but I am also concerned for the old-growth forest, sensitive boreal ecosystems, and the assault from the lights, traffic, sounds, and dust that'll come with a large mine in a rural, remote area. I support groups that are fighting it, both in public and in court. I can understand that urban officials have no connection to Nature anymore. But local officials have lived here a long time, one of them has been a wilderness guide for many decades. How they can not want to protect it boggles my mind. It's going to be a long 4 years. At this point, I question whether we will ever return to a sane, normal way of governing. People are addicted to suffering and chaos. Watching people cheer for their own destruction is bizarre.
I agree we'll need to go around the govt. Not just with supporting causes but in building communities; building the way of life we want to see. It's a great way to have something positive to focus on. Here, we have a folk school that teaches traditional skills, and they are connecting people looking for a trade and skills-based economy. It's quite nice to spend time with like-minded people in a community atmosphere.