Static & Iconic Yellowstone
Posted by skyblu on March 23, 2007
LETS FREEZE TIME
AND
‘OLD FAITHFUL’ WHILE WE’RE AT IT !
A delightful little post in National Parks Traveler gives, (at least me,) insight into the enduring values of some key players in the Grizzly Bear delisting drama.
Deputy Interior Secretary Lynn Scarlet is quoted as saying:
“The grizzly’s remarkable comeback is the result of years of intensive cooperative recovery efforts between federal and state agencies, conservation groups, and individuals. There is simply no way to overstate what an amazing accomplishment this is.”
On the other hand, Louisa Willcox, who directs the NRDC’s Wild Bears Project, is quoted as saying:
“Grizzlies are part of the natural heritage that is shared by all Americans. Yellowstone and its wildlife have a special place in our history and in the hearts and minds of millions of people. If the grizzlies die out, it would be like Old Faithful running dry. Healthy bear populations mean that the land is healthy. It means that remaining pieces of wilderness will be here for our children and our grandchildren.”
Now there’s a pair to draw to. I prefer a more realistic view of our universe and the small bits of it that we call “National Parks.” It is certainly good to try and maintain a diversity of species. And my values suggest that a grizzly is a very important thing to try and preserve.
Dear, dear, Louisa: I would celebrate the occasion of “Old Faithful Running Dry.” I promise you that it will. Is that so tragic?
And if it’s here for your grandchildren, it most assuredly will be different than you remember it. Is that also a tragedy?
The problem with an icon is that it’s static. I don’t like the idea of a static Yellowstone. That would not be the way that I understand how the universe works. I shudder to think that the NRDC wants it that way. Now, that is a tragedy.
Dear, dear Louisa: try to celebrate change, dynamism, interrelationships, complexity, and the joy of the unexpected. If that’s too hard; go see “Yellowstone” at the Imax Theater. Old Faithful is the same every time at the movies. It does not run dry.
Dear, dear Louisa; losing the grizzly would be far more tragic that the drying up of Old Faithful. We can do something about the one, and should do nothing about the other.
My fear is not that Old faithful will run dry, (for it surely will,) rather it’s that the NPS will rapidly install plumbing to “RESTORE” it to it’s once natural splendor. I will rant against that. Many cheerleaders will want the plumbing. Go figure.
NPS PHOTO OF THE DRY CONE OF OLD FAITHFUL
Jazzwolf said
I would hope that we could fudge a bit on your contention that icons have to be static. Many would no doubt agree that John Wayne was the iconic cowboy, Einstein the iconic physicist, Jane Russell the iconic pinup girl.
What’s wrong to call Yellowstone, Yosemite, and Grand Canyon iconic national parks?
But I digress.
It would be a travesty if grizzlies vanished from the ecosystem, and if the Park Service plumbed Old Faithful when it utters its last spurt.
But now that you raise the possibility, perhaps the rangers at Yosemite could run a hose up to Yosemite Fall in September when it begins to run dry.
Me said
“Now there’s a pair to draw to. I prefer a more realistic view of our universe and the small bits of it that we call “National Parks.” It is certainly good to try and maintain a diversity of species. And my values suggest that a grizzly is a very important thing to try and preserve.”
Dear, dear, Skyblu, Yellowstone could never be static even if it were to remain the same for years to come. What the heck have you ever done for bears that would cause you to feel great enough about yourself to criticize someone that has done plenty? You got the “small bits” part right. I wonder how much smaller it will be for her grandchildren and so on? Yeah that is tragic.
Considering they left out mortalities in their 2004 statistics on grizzly bear numbers and considering that 2005 and 2006 numbers were moderately lower and considering how this delisting eases up things for developers and the like: That ever fluctuating 500 count on the population seems as sustainable as White Bark Pine cone productions; pathetic.