Thank you, Rebecca, and you must know that you are not alone. This retired psychiatrist has long known that my mental health, and that of my 25k patients, utterly depends on spending time in nature (shinrin yoku), although finding areas undisturbed by human "extractive" behavior are rare indeed, at least here in SE Ohio. I published a book in 2018, "Stress R Us", which documents my attribution of ALL human "stress diseases" to our alienation from the natural order of creation, before massive human overpopulation, massive waves of migration/invasions from overpopulated Europe/Africa, decimated Americas and turned native ecosystems into golf courses, strip mines, slag heaps, tree "farms", factory farms, and a cacophony of human built environments driving the stress diseases. With a madman taking control (?) of what's left of our undisturbed natural ecosystems, your piece here is especially timely. Thank you for all you do and share. Again, know that you are not alone. Gregg Miklashek, MD
". . . the intelligence of self-willed nature. It’s undeniable once you’ve sensed it, and it’s why old-fashioned environmentalists still fight so hard so keep some places off-limits from human meddling. There are so few of them left." Thank you, Rebecca, for this message of hope. We who care about the earth and her creatures are not done by a long shot.
Thank you for all the care and attention you take in writing these pieces. I started law school at the University of Houston and finished at Vermont Law, both of which have the "top" enviro programs in the country--with very different points of view. But I was unable to practice because I found the density of the regulatory landscape and its slow, discouraging progress so disheartening. I applaud you for sticking with it, and I am grateful to you for making this information digestible and accessible. Keep fighting this very worthy fight.
You're so right about that body of law. Dense. Disheartening. It's also discouraging that we have finally seen some really good progress in several long-running fights to improve regulatory schemes just as we are about to descend into craziness again. It's such a bummer we couldn't have had at least another term to cement some of this progress. Thanks for stopping in over here -- grateful for you!
"the new Public Lands Rule makes it legal for third parties, such as tribes and nonprofit groups, to bid on public land leases within the BLM system to put them to ‘use’ for ecological restoration"
That's *really* big! Probably most readers don't get just how big that is.
A forest defender comrade of mine got arrested for bidding at a timber auction once, which is how I learned that this was illegal.
Yes, you're so right -- such a big deal. The lease thing is something that's been on the wish list for years. Decades, actually. BLM is still figuring out how to implement it, and of course, it'll all probably be put on hold for at least 4 years, but my hope is that since this progress has been made once, it can be made again when we've moved past Trump, hopefully to someone who will be better than both him and Biden! I was just reading about a BLM timber auction up here where they wouldn't even let the public in the room--only reps of timber companies with pre-vetted, sealed bids were allowed. That crap's got to change.
Yep I remember protesting outside a Forest (dis)Service timber auction like that in Oregon in the early 2000s. Total nonsense. Is it "public" land or not?! They pepper-sprayed us out in the parking lot at that auction, too, the f*kers.
That was during a spell when I was spending months at a time winter-camping in the SoCal deserts to escape PNW rains. There were a couple-three super blooms then, including one in Death Valley. For that one, the California Native Plant Society had a three-day plant walk (people camped out) and it was great to have trained botanists keying out everything on the spot. Though of course about 20% of their conversations were about how the plant had recently been renamed or moved to another family, lol. Cuz you know phytogenetics has turned taxonomy upside down.
I put together a website of photos from my time there called "Wildflowers of Joshua Tree Country." It features over 200 species in plant guide format, with ethnobotanical uses, animal associations and "Latin name" etymology for each one. You'd probably really enjoy it:
This is a very informative article - I learned a great deal about the new park developments. And I love that Ken Burns documentary on the history of the national parks.
This feels hopeful Rebecca, far to go but still this "the new Public Lands Rule makes it legal for third parties, such as tribes and nonprofit groups, to bid on public land leases within the BLM system to put them to ‘use’ for ecological restoration" must be much to smile about.
And, those really are two dream jobs, I'd take either one!
Yes, it really does feel great that this new ability to lease public lands for conservation ever came to be -- even if we lose it during the next administration, I feel certain that we'll get it back in the future. 💚
Thank you, Rebecca, I learn so much from reading these.
That makes me so happy, John. And same to you.
Thank you, Rebecca, and you must know that you are not alone. This retired psychiatrist has long known that my mental health, and that of my 25k patients, utterly depends on spending time in nature (shinrin yoku), although finding areas undisturbed by human "extractive" behavior are rare indeed, at least here in SE Ohio. I published a book in 2018, "Stress R Us", which documents my attribution of ALL human "stress diseases" to our alienation from the natural order of creation, before massive human overpopulation, massive waves of migration/invasions from overpopulated Europe/Africa, decimated Americas and turned native ecosystems into golf courses, strip mines, slag heaps, tree "farms", factory farms, and a cacophony of human built environments driving the stress diseases. With a madman taking control (?) of what's left of our undisturbed natural ecosystems, your piece here is especially timely. Thank you for all you do and share. Again, know that you are not alone. Gregg Miklashek, MD
Thank you for leading with good news -- that cartoon is inspired, but good to know there is wonderful ground to stand on as we see what comes next.
Thanks, Jan. I'm glad the good news gave you a little boost as we move into challenging times. :)
". . . the intelligence of self-willed nature. It’s undeniable once you’ve sensed it, and it’s why old-fashioned environmentalists still fight so hard so keep some places off-limits from human meddling. There are so few of them left." Thank you, Rebecca, for this message of hope. We who care about the earth and her creatures are not done by a long shot.
Right on. You're so very correct!
Thank you for all the care and attention you take in writing these pieces. I started law school at the University of Houston and finished at Vermont Law, both of which have the "top" enviro programs in the country--with very different points of view. But I was unable to practice because I found the density of the regulatory landscape and its slow, discouraging progress so disheartening. I applaud you for sticking with it, and I am grateful to you for making this information digestible and accessible. Keep fighting this very worthy fight.
You're so right about that body of law. Dense. Disheartening. It's also discouraging that we have finally seen some really good progress in several long-running fights to improve regulatory schemes just as we are about to descend into craziness again. It's such a bummer we couldn't have had at least another term to cement some of this progress. Thanks for stopping in over here -- grateful for you!
Wow I was so impressed when I read this:
"the new Public Lands Rule makes it legal for third parties, such as tribes and nonprofit groups, to bid on public land leases within the BLM system to put them to ‘use’ for ecological restoration"
That's *really* big! Probably most readers don't get just how big that is.
A forest defender comrade of mine got arrested for bidding at a timber auction once, which is how I learned that this was illegal.
Yes, you're so right -- such a big deal. The lease thing is something that's been on the wish list for years. Decades, actually. BLM is still figuring out how to implement it, and of course, it'll all probably be put on hold for at least 4 years, but my hope is that since this progress has been made once, it can be made again when we've moved past Trump, hopefully to someone who will be better than both him and Biden! I was just reading about a BLM timber auction up here where they wouldn't even let the public in the room--only reps of timber companies with pre-vetted, sealed bids were allowed. That crap's got to change.
Yep I remember protesting outside a Forest (dis)Service timber auction like that in Oregon in the early 2000s. Total nonsense. Is it "public" land or not?! They pepper-sprayed us out in the parking lot at that auction, too, the f*kers.
I was fortunate to be in Southern California during that 2017 super bloom. It was as astonishing as the photo suggests.
Amazing. I couldn’t make it down for that one but I hope to witness one someday!
That was during a spell when I was spending months at a time winter-camping in the SoCal deserts to escape PNW rains. There were a couple-three super blooms then, including one in Death Valley. For that one, the California Native Plant Society had a three-day plant walk (people camped out) and it was great to have trained botanists keying out everything on the spot. Though of course about 20% of their conversations were about how the plant had recently been renamed or moved to another family, lol. Cuz you know phytogenetics has turned taxonomy upside down.
I put together a website of photos from my time there called "Wildflowers of Joshua Tree Country." It features over 200 species in plant guide format, with ethnobotanical uses, animal associations and "Latin name" etymology for each one. You'd probably really enjoy it:
https://wildflowersofjoshuatreecountry.com/
I hear you about Arizona's high elevation forests; love them, too. Thank you for sharing some good news for the new year.
I think the White Mountains and the highlands around there on the Rim must be little pieces of heaven...
One of the very few mountainous areas west of the Mississippi this mountain- obsessed guy hasn't visited. The Winds and the Bighorns are my heavens.
This is a very informative article - I learned a great deal about the new park developments. And I love that Ken Burns documentary on the history of the national parks.
Me too. The national parks are incredible, and so much so, on film!
Among my best-ever contract gigs: photographing rare butterflies in some of Maine’s most remote places, including bogs. Nice work if you can get it!
Yes, nice work, indeed. I bet you have a fabulous archive from that time period.
This feels hopeful Rebecca, far to go but still this "the new Public Lands Rule makes it legal for third parties, such as tribes and nonprofit groups, to bid on public land leases within the BLM system to put them to ‘use’ for ecological restoration" must be much to smile about.
And, those really are two dream jobs, I'd take either one!
Yes, it really does feel great that this new ability to lease public lands for conservation ever came to be -- even if we lose it during the next administration, I feel certain that we'll get it back in the future. 💚