National Parks — America’s Best Idea, the anxiously-awaited series by filmmaker Ken Burns, is currently airing on public television. It’s been a fabulous series. From Yosemite to the Everglades, the beauty and inspiration these magnificent places afford is difficult to put into words. You must experience them!
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As an American I am grateful for the vision and tireless work of so many people who fought to establish and preserve these precious sanctuaries of breathtaking beauty and tranquility. The images of Yosemite National Park will remain with me forever.
Approaching the entrance to Yosemite Valley is overwhelming and takes your breath away. Gazing up at the towering granite monolith of El Capitan, rising nearly 3,000 feet from the valley floor, one is mesmerized, and humbled. Half-Dome is wondrous, its face sliced smooth by millions of years of glacial erosion to resemble a loaf of bread cut in half. The waterfalls, the valley floor, the meadows — there is so much to see and drink in. Little wonder that Yosemite National Park is frequently referred to as the “earth’s cathedral.”
Nature’s pure “wildness” rejuvenates us. We need wild places and we must constantly be vigilant and prepared to turn back any attempts to despoil or exploit these places. They belong to all of us — not just a privileged few.
In protecting and preserving the wild places, we protect and preserve the wild creatures that inhabit them. Each and every living being is an important link in the delicate chain of life. We are a part of nature — not apart from it. Wild creatures deserve to live free from our exploitation and tyranny.
Born Free USA’s mission is to end the suffering of wild animals in captivity, rescue individual animals in need, protect wildlife — including highly endangered species — in their natural habitats, and encourage compassionate conservation globally.
Visit our natural parks and come away inspired and invigorated to protect them. Remember our mission. We couldn’t do this work without your support. Your generous donations make it possible for us to keep “wildlife in the wild” and we are very grateful.
Finally, we all have a chance to play a role in protecting and preserving wildlife. H.R. 3710 is new federal legislation — which Born Free USA enthusiastically supports — that will end the use of body-gripping traps in the National Wildlife Refuge System. Yes, you read it right. Trapping is currently permitted on wildlife refuges. The bill was introduced in Congress on October 1, 2009 and has 35 co-sponsors so far. Please! Check with your congressional representatives and urge them to sign on as co-sponsors without delay.
Now get out there and enjoy the “wild”!
Till next time,
Susan