Our Preservation Predicament

An article in this morning’s New York Times poses a question that hits close to home at Leave No Trace. Cornelia Dean’s piece, “The Preservation Predicament” asks whether conservations efforts are irrelevant with the rapidity of climate change. The article can be found at: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/29/science/earth/29habi.html?_r=1&ref=science&oref=slogin

Conservationists are struggle to refocus, some believing a shift should be made from protecting costal areas which will undoubtedly experience great change, to upland areas. Refuges with stable vegetation for preservation potential are also being identified. The scientific community is scrambling to redraft conservation strategies for the future.

Some could argue that Leave No Trace theory and practice is dwarfed in the shadow of this catastrophic change. At its core though, Leave No Trace is a program connecting people, meaningfully and purposefully, to tangible concepts in land protection. It could be that this self-identified “Leave No Trace” community is primed to support whatever our future landscape looks like. Thus, before we throw up our hands and run for the barren, cracked hills, all involved in teaching Leave No Trace ethics — particularly to children — should thoughtfully consider our relevant roles in the conservation movement.

Giant Sequoias

I just learned that Giant Sequoias are more amazing than I had ever realized. These magnificent species grow up to 300 ft. tall. They move one full ton of water up their trunk every day. The oldest specimens are approximately 3000 years old. They are some of the largest organisms on the planet. These trees have both significant ecological and spiritual value, and are truly one of the most unique species on earth. However, as the story so commonly goes, they're in peril. Threatened by global warming and eventual water deficits that are predicted to come with rising temperatures. If the Giant Sequoias don't have enough water, like most living things, they'll die. It truly saddens me to think that of what we've done to so many species on our planet in such a short time. 

Though it's sometimes hard to find the silver lining when things seem out of control and beyond the crisis point, you have to look for it. There is a silver lining to the story of the Giant Sequoias. Scientists are working on the problem from a variety of angles. They're studying Giant Sequoias more now than ever. Their research methods have changed. The data is better, and we now know how to better protect these giants. There are also more positive large-scale changes occurring to combat the bigger issue of human-caused climate change: hybrid cars, reduced emissions, greater awareness of environmental issues, more focus by government, industry and the general public.



As stewards of the land, I think we need to do all we can to protect our environment. Be it from recreational impacts or impacts that are more global in scale. If we can collectively work to minimize our footprint on the environment - at the micro and macro levels - we're all going to be better off in the long run. Especially those Giant Sequoias.