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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 : Hugh Denno
Wilderness connects us to our rich cultural and natural history, while at the same time it helps us live in the present, to recharge and refocus on what really matters for the future. I have been playing in the wilderness for most of my life and for the last 10 years I have been working in the wilderness as a wilderness guide, environmental educator, restoration ecologist, and film producer.
Wilderness is my teacher and my guide. My time in the snow caves has taught me how to stay warm; every journey into the desert has deepened my respect for water; I go to the sequoias to be humbled and awe struck. Wild places — I go to recreate and I end up RE-CREATEing myself and my perception of the world around me. I come out recharged and feel empowered after shedding the unnecessary baggage of life. Wilderness is where I go to simplify life and increase my appreciation and gratitude for everything I have in my life, especially those basic needs like fresh air, water, soil, sun and fun .
From the wilderness I have learned that less is more. Whether it is sharing the last rations of chocolate with friends on a mountain top, or sipping a few drops of water from a desert spring, or sitting in one spot instead of walking by everything you came to see. The less you have the more you can appreciate it. In a time where we have less and less wild places, I believe as a society we are finally starting to open our eyes and realizing how precious these remaining wild places are and how important it is to work and protect them. I personally want to thank every person who worked to pass the Wilderness Act 50 years ago — I have enjoyed the fruits of that labor so much that I have joined the "wilderness team" of advocates, educators, and artists. I am working to do my part to influence the preservation of our nations greatest treasures, our wilderness areas, into the future and and beyond the next fifty years.
Hugh's latest and greatest film, Viva la Verde! (upcoming viewings), is a conservation film about the Verde River, which runs through the rugged and wild country of central Arizona. The film not only aims to raise awareness about the values and threats of the river, but, most importantly, it shows people exactly what they can do to prevent the last perennial flowing river in Arizona from drying up.
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