Although I love all types of outdoor recreation (including ATV and snowmobile trips), I also understand the need to preserve some of the scant roadless areas that Colorado has left. Wilderness areas maintain biological diversity, improve air and water quality, and provide measurable economic benefits. That is why I support the Hidden Gems Wilderness proposal.
To the Eagle County Commissioners: My husband and I have just had the privilege of spending two long fall days in the wilderness. We urge you to support the preservation of the Hidden Gems as the value of wild land is beyond measure. During our long day hikes deep into the mountains, we encountered magnificent terrain and abundant wildlife, but these creatures need room, and humans are increasing pressure. We need to ensure that civilization and industry do not encroach into these last remaining, uniquely American wild places.
Hidden Gems Wilderness proposal calls for saving the last best places in the White River National Forest
It is hardly surprising for an agency that believes its primary purpose is resource extraction to unilaterally declare that the Hidden Gems wilderness campaign calls for too much wilderness ( Vail Daily, Oct. 5). The Hidden Gems Wilderness proposal calls for saving the last best places in the White River National Forest and adjoining Bureau of Land Management lands for our mutual future.
The Hidden Gems Wilderness proposal is not about bikers. It's not about hikers, motorized users or horseback riders either. It's about the land. It's about the creatures that inhabit the land, their only option. Many of the Hidden Gems are excellent wildlife habitat. Let's give the wildlife some space of its own.
Last Saturday, we attended a public meeting in Troy where Sen. Tester outlined and explained his Forest Jobs and Recreation Act.
He did a very good job presenting his bill, so everyone could understand what it is all about. The vast majority in the crowd agreed that we need jobs on our forest for local people. This bill was crafted by a diverse group of people representing all of us.
With this bill we get jobs, access for recreation and wilderness protection on Roderick Mountain - a definite win for Lincoln County.
As teachers we are helping to develop our young students into citizens who are engaged, informed, and active participants in our democracy. The dual purpose of public school is not only to prepare our young for the workplace, but also to prepare them for citizenship. One way students in social studies classes can participate in active citizenship, for example, is by investigating their communities for a problem that can be solved by public policy, and then following a plan to have that policy passed.
The 270,000-acre Tejon Ranch, between Los Angeles and Bakersfield in California's Tehachapi Mountains, features extraordinary ecological resources: ancient oak groves, Joshua tree and pinyon pine forests, and 80 imperiled species, including the California condor. Its owners and some environmentalists have cut a deal to put 90 percent of the ranchland into a private conservancy in exchange for allowing intense development on the remaining 10 percent.
Like millions of Americans, I enjoyed watching Ken Burns' documentary film about our National Parks on PBS. The efforts of individuals like John Muir, President Teddy Roosevelt and Tennessee's own Harvey Broome have left us their legacy in the form of our wonderful public lands.
I was blessed to be born in northwestern Montana and to grow up in the middle of the majestic and towering forests surrounding Libby.
I loved those trees then and, like so many Americans, I love them even more now.
My ancestors were involved with logging for a very long time, starting with my grandfather, a logging camp cook who came to Montana with a timber company from Minnesota early on in the last century before the advent of logging trucks.
Letter: In support of more Wilderness
October 16th, 2009Although I love all types of outdoor recreation (including ATV and snowmobile trips), I also understand the need to preserve some of the scant roadless areas that Colorado has left. Wilderness areas maintain biological diversity, improve air and water quality, and provide measurable economic benefits. That is why I support the Hidden Gems Wilderness proposal.
Letter: Preserve our wild lands
October 16th, 2009To the Eagle County Commissioners: My husband and I have just had the privilege of spending two long fall days in the wilderness. We urge you to support the preservation of the Hidden Gems as the value of wild land is beyond measure. During our long day hikes deep into the mountains, we encountered magnificent terrain and abundant wildlife, but these creatures need room, and humans are increasing pressure. We need to ensure that civilization and industry do not encroach into these last remaining, uniquely American wild places.
Letter: Agency should back Gems
October 16th, 2009Hidden Gems Wilderness proposal calls for saving the last best places in the White River National Forest
It is hardly surprising for an agency that believes its primary purpose is resource extraction to unilaterally declare that the Hidden Gems wilderness campaign calls for too much wilderness ( Vail Daily, Oct. 5). The Hidden Gems Wilderness proposal calls for saving the last best places in the White River National Forest and adjoining Bureau of Land Management lands for our mutual future.
Letter: It’s not about you
October 15th, 2009It's not about you
The Hidden Gems Wilderness proposal is not about bikers. It's not about hikers, motorized users or horseback riders either. It's about the land. It's about the creatures that inhabit the land, their only option. Many of the Hidden Gems are excellent wildlife habitat. Let's give the wildlife some space of its own.
Letter: Senator does good job explaining bill
October 16th, 2009Last Saturday, we attended a public meeting in Troy where Sen. Tester outlined and explained his Forest Jobs and Recreation Act.
He did a very good job presenting his bill, so everyone could understand what it is all about. The vast majority in the crowd agreed that we need jobs on our forest for local people. This bill was crafted by a diverse group of people representing all of us.
With this bill we get jobs, access for recreation and wilderness protection on Roderick Mountain - a definite win for Lincoln County.
Thank you again, Sen. Tester.
Jon Javis Supports More Official Wilderness in National Park System
October 12th, 2009Despite its rugged feel, Glacier National Park has no officially designated wilderness.
Wilderness. It's where the wild things are. It's a place where the stress of everyday life in the "real" world can be swept away.
Opinion: Tester bill a good lesson in democratic process
October 21st, 2009As teachers we are helping to develop our young students into citizens who are engaged, informed, and active participants in our democracy. The dual purpose of public school is not only to prepare our young for the workplace, but also to prepare them for citizenship. One way students in social studies classes can participate in active citizenship, for example, is by investigating their communities for a problem that can be solved by public policy, and then following a plan to have that policy passed.
Op-ed: Why Not Create More National Parks?
October 12th, 2009The 270,000-acre Tejon Ranch, between Los Angeles and Bakersfield in California's Tehachapi Mountains, features extraordinary ecological resources: ancient oak groves, Joshua tree and pinyon pine forests, and 80 imperiled species, including the California condor. Its owners and some environmentalists have cut a deal to put 90 percent of the ranchland into a private conservancy in exchange for allowing intense development on the remaining 10 percent.
Letter to the Editor: Urge expansion of wilderness
October 9th, 2009Like millions of Americans, I enjoyed watching Ken Burns' documentary film about our National Parks on PBS. The efforts of individuals like John Muir, President Teddy Roosevelt and Tennessee's own Harvey Broome have left us their legacy in the form of our wonderful public lands.
Op-Ed: Tester's bill can break logjam on forest policy
October 9th, 2009I was blessed to be born in northwestern Montana and to grow up in the middle of the majestic and towering forests surrounding Libby.
I loved those trees then and, like so many Americans, I love them even more now.
My ancestors were involved with logging for a very long time, starting with my grandfather, a logging camp cook who came to Montana with a timber company from Minnesota early on in the last century before the advent of logging trucks.