Saturday, February 11, 2017

If in a good mood: "Wild-lands and Wildlife are and will always be the unique feature of the West!"

If in a not positive mood: Hurry up before it's too late!

Comb Ridge

I'm getting ready for the next On the Wild Road expedition, at the beginning of June. And I'm also working on the following one, likely to happen in mid October. And I'm grateful to be engaged in these projects, the main reason that still keeps me here. I am happy to make it happen, honored to pull together programs, meetings and itineraries. With the blessing of High Country News. And excited to learn at every step of the way.

Why am I so hesitant then? In one word: Trump.

Between now and June anything can happen, I mean literally anything. EPA may not exist anymore, and what's left or what replaces it will be led by someone who could be hired to destroy the Amazons in one day and do it without hesitation. It's that bad.
What really worries me is what will the future be for the wildlife still living here? We are already seeing a changing attitude towards wildlife with an increase in killings on protected areas. Unpunished. 

I don't have much to add, I'm pessimistic and worried. At least for the time being, with moments of hope! Often things must get worse, to get better. However in this case once the animals are gone and the land built upon, there is little to be done to restore them to pre-trump era! 

The plan to destroy what has been preserved for centuries is now going to be implemented with enthusiasm, looking at all the money that can be done with it.

Yummm...look at that shining oil running through forests...look at those little homes- badly built but very expensive- for those idiots who are so gullible to buy them...

The National Parks, National Monuments and other kinds of protected areas may be eroded to the point of non existence. It is heart warming to witness the clever efforts of the people who work in those organizations! They quickly thought of a way to bypass the bans to share information with the public, which ultimately is the owner of all this beauty, by creating private Twitter accounts so continuing their work as well as mocking the dispatchers of those stupid orders. But they will possibly lose their jobs or be forced to do something that is the opposite of their current mission.

This coming June we chose to go to the new Bears Ears National Monument, already under threat of being dismantled. We will also meet with representatives of the Native American Tribes Coalition who were fundamental in obtaining the nomination. A lot to hear and learn. 


Valley of the Gods- Jack Arnold

Will we come back with a message of hope? Will the world pressure and the daily oppositions succeed in keeping these treasures? 

Here is the link to this expedition:
http://www.sevendirections.net/wild-road-description.html. 
It would be nice to travel with some of you and enjoy a few days of beauty together!

The area is one of the most intensely beautiful of the Southwest, dotted with ancient habitations and rock art from the Ancient civilizations that lived here for centuries. 


Monarch Cave. Jack Arnold


I can't imagine it won't be here for the generations to come! 


Sunset. Jack Arnold