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"When we strive to pass wilderness legislation, what we are really engaged in is democracy at work."
- Bart Koehler
Read an important message about patriotism and the purpose of wilderness from our friends at the Wilderness Support Center in Colorado.
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Perspectives on Wilderness : Thom Hulen
I was asked to write an article about my favorite wilderness area and I immediately thought of the Superstition Mountain Wilderness area east of Phoenix. I suppose the Superstitions, as it is known to many people, is like my first love. No matter how the love affair ended there are some fond memories. In my case, I am still friends with my first love and the Superstition Mountain Wilderness area never fails to beckon me back for a yearly visit.
Many years ago I was asked the same question about rock art sites. At that time I led hikes all over Arizona to view rock art created by Native Americans. Once in Hieroglyphic Canyon nestled in the City of Phoenix’s South Mountain Park someone asked me if I had a favorite rock art site. I answered, “Yes, this is my favorite” but when asked the same question in the Eagle-tail Wilderness area later that year I responded “this rock art site is my favorite site.” At that time it dawned on me that wherever I am is my favorite site.
The joy I feel looking at rock art is just one of the countless joys I have known learning about and exploring , hopefully continue to learn and explore, the natural and cultural gifts we have available to us in the United States. Wilderness areas are the homes to many joys I find worthwhile and necessary.
At a personal level I suppose I value wilderness areas because they are free of noise and pollution. I spend enough of my life being in and around automobiles and having a chance to escape from them once in a while is priceless. Fresh air to breathe and only the sounds of the birds, insects, wind, my footsteps and an occasion human voice helps center me-calm my mind.
Wilderness areas are places that we visit but they are home to millions of plants and animals. In many cases wilderness areas are the last refuges for plants and animals where the effects of development and industrialization are the least. In these areas life can be carried on as primordially as possible in our current world. I feel the primordial urge each fall when I go hunting in wilderness areas.
On August 10, 2014 I discovered that the Mount Baldy Wilderness area is my new favorite. I was hiking on a portion of the Paseo del Lobo trail that runs through the Mount Baldy Wilderness. The Paseo del Lobo trail celebrates the reestablishment of the Mexican wolf in the United States and the hopes that Mexican wolves will once again occupy most if not all of their former range. I am glad and proud that the wilderness areas in Arizona can be home to the Mexican wolf and the many other species of plants and animals with whom we share this land.
Let us not make the mistake of our ancestors who drained the swamps, clear-cut the forests and, caused the extinction of the Passenger Pigeon and Carolina Parakeet east of the Mississippi River, with little or no regard for the future. In the west, including Arizona, we still have the chance to save the great gift of wilderness. The Wilderness Act gives us the tools. Let us not waste it. Let us celebrate it.
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