Wilderness is Our Common Ground
Visiting the Eastern Sierra or any wild place can be a life-changing experience. Protecting these places as wilderness means our kids can enjoy unmatched opportunities to learn about the world outdoors and about themselves, and it enhances the quality of life in local communities in countless other ways. Wilderness draws visitors seeking world-class outdoor recreation and scenic beauty, providing local businesses with a renewable source of tourism-based income. But these places won't stay the way they are without a concerted effort to protect them. Wilderness is something we can't afford to live without, and we need to ensure that our kids and theirs don't have to.
Photo credit: Lee Bergthold/Center for Wilderness Studies
Wild places have always been a big part of my life. Growing up, my dad took my brother and me camping and fishing every summer. My friends and I played in the woods--building forts out of fir branches and in the winter skiing for hours on end. Now my husband and I enjoy camping, hiking, and kayaking in the Eastern Sierra, and I take my school kids on trips to wild places. They have so much fun laughing, playing, and discovering the world around them. I hope to pass my love for the outdoors on to these children, like my dad did for my brother and me, so that they will grow to appreciate the importance of protecting nature's wonders as wilderness. View full message [PDF]
Photo credit: Lee Bergthold/Center for Wilderness Studies
Nature touches something deep inside of kids--something that TV shows and video games can't reach. It stimulates their minds and senses, and lets them explore life in a less controlled environment. As children learn about wild lands, they learn about themselves. They meet new challenges and overcome old fears. For some, a trip to a local wild place or the Eastern Sierra is life-changing. Their self-esteem rises. Some become health conscious. Some find fresh interest and improved grades in school. Every child needs to experience our wild lands, because these special places provide the opportunity to discover who they are and who they can be. View full message [PDF]
Photo credit: John Dittli
Kids need room to grow. As we see California's population expand, it's more important than ever that we preserve wilderness here in the Sierra Nevada. These pristine places won't always exist without a concerted effort to protect them. As a business owner in Mammoth Lakes, I know that wilderness preservation is vital to our town's economy. It's also vital to our town's future to assure we have clean air and pure water at its source. And wilderness is vital to our children's future. My daughters and I go backpacking every summer. In the mountains and here in my shop, I see families enjoying the backcountry, reconnecting with nature and with each other. Wilderness is something we can't afford to live without, and we need to ensure that our kids and theirs don't have to. View full message [PDF]