This Land is My Land

It is a cold snow day in PA but I have been planning for Summer 2019 since October.  I can honestly say that I have been worried about this trip with the Government Shut down in January but I am more worried about the status of our great National Parks.

During the shutdown, National Park Rangers were furloughed, and it took some working without pay and many civilan volunteers to help take care of our parks.  I think that act was honorable.  But what wasn't honorable was the actions of the American citizens who thought the shut down was a Free Pass to do whatever they wanted.  To go pass barriers, walk on extremely delicate soils, around hot springs, drive jeeps through the open land of Joshua Tree NP, carve itials in those Joshua Trees, walk their pets in areas where they normally are not allowed, leave their trash and human wastes behind for others to clean up.  The National Parks motto is LEAVE NO TRACE.  Some of the traces left behind will take decades to repair.

The National Parks of the United States are a unique system made up of 418 different identities. From battlefields and war memorials, to highways and historic lands marks, not to mention the archeological and ecological perserved areas around the country.  This is our history, it is where we have been and where we are going.  Much of this land was preserved on the backs of the Military, the Park Rangers, and the men of New Deal.  It has never been easy and is constantly a point of contention and debate.  But it is important to remember it belongs TO THE PEOPLE. It is MY Land, it is YOUR land, it your KIDS land, and their kids, and their kids.

So, shame on those who thought it was ok to distroy MY LAND.  Shame on those who were too lazy to take their trash with them when they left for the day.  Shame on those who took motor bikes and jeeps and disturbed the delate balance of algae and lichens that protect the fragile soils.  This has nothing to do with politics, this has everything to do with human decency.  With morals and values and being respectful to our fellow Americans.

So this summer, when my family is visiting OUR LAND, in Missouri, Kanas, Colorado, Arizona, Utah, Wyoming, and Nebraska, we will LEAVE NO TRACE.  We will embrace, respect, enjoy, admire, and share the beauty and magesty that our National Parks have to offer.