Applegater., September 01, 2012, Page 21, Image 21

Applegater Fall 2012 21
MY OPINION FROM BEHIND THE GREEN DOOR
I like it wild
bY chRiS bRATT
Here I am, glad to be back home in
Applegate after a couple of family visits
and work trips to the City. The City is San
Francisco, California, where I was born and
didn’t leave until I was in my early 20s.
Despite all of the blacktop, I once thought
of this city and surrounding urban areas
as underdeveloped with a simple, slow
pace of life. Now the City and beyond
presents a picture of mega-urbanization,
overdevelopment, population overflow and
an unequaled rate of technological change.
I understand these same developments are
happening worldwide. I believe the people
of the Bay Area (and maybe the world,
too) are now adapting to a way of life that
is exclusively about humans, and that our
natural and wild environments will not
survive without the artificial aids that only
we humans can provide.
The writer Michael Pollan observed
over a decade ago, “All of nature (that
includes us) is in the process of being
domesticated, of coming or finding itself
under the roof of civilization. Indeed,
even the wild now depends on civilization
for its survival.” Pollan is right. And
my particular trip into the mega-urban
world showed me firsthand the changes
transforming our country’s shrinking
wildlands into tamed cultivated places
that accommodate a city dweller’s lifestyle.
I also recognized that we humans are in
control of evolution now and in command
of the survival of what we consider the
fittest. (If Darwin were still alive, he’d
probably have to alter his theory.)
But our control over nature is going
to require responsibility. Every person has of us arrived here. And don’t forget our
to begin playing a part in the area where friends the environmentalists. National,
they live, whether you live in the country regional and local environmental groups
or city, suburban or rural surroundings, and individuals work and speak out against
you must become a caretaker of these urban, suburban, rural and wildland
lands and communities. We can no degradation. They support new approaches
longer wait for bureaucrats or politicians to land use design, reduced dependence
to solve or correct our defaced landscape or on cars and preserving farmland and open
other problems. We who
space. Environmental
share love for a place are
folks make good
obligated to protect it.
neighbors and make
If residents
Here in rural
good use of the law
southern Oregon, we
when our environment
of this region
have a distinct advantage
needs protecting.
want a healthy
over other areas in
Spotted owls,
searching for new ways
salmon,
and old-growth
economy,
to live sustainably. To
forests are just a few of
a pristine
a large extent, we are
the thousands of species
environment
already maintaining our
that are in jeopardy and
outstanding and globally
are now dependent on
and quality of
significant natural areas
us for survival. There are
life, they will
on the extensive public
also damaged landscapes
lands. Local forest service
to restore, heat-trapping
have to...
and Bureau of Land
gases in the atmosphere
Management agencies
to regulate, and water
have begun many new
and air to free from
restoration programs on our public forests. pollution. Are we willing to acknowledge
We have many local residents who love that humans have caused these problems?
this area. Some are developing family I hope we are, because there is an urgent
organic farming. Others are building local need for action to prop up our planet.
economies through food and wine sales
The resources nature has provided
and distribution by connecting with local have been taken for granted and assumed
and regional cities. Carpenters, painters to be unending. This, of course, we all
and other tradespeople keep our economy know is a false assumption. Also, many
going, too.
times we put people in charge of addressing
We also have a large group of old- our ecological problems who are the very
timers, farmers and ranchers who have people who are making the problems
taken care of the land long before most themselves and allowing them to continue.
SWimming HOLe
leaving behind broken glass and trash, and Frontier Park will host art shows, special
creating a public safety hazard that forced events, feature a small-log visitor center
owner Jackie Inman to reluctantly close and several teepees.
the park. Jackie and Scott Carey have
“Romancing the West,” a musical
lovingly maintained it for years in hopes revue that tells the stories of over two
it could be reopened again under the right centuries of Oregon and California
circumstances. While the park may have history through music and visuals, will
been quiet, a groundswell
now be rooted into the
of appreciation for this
community with a home
family landmark would
base where its lessons
create the right climate in
and stories will find their
The Frontier
which to reopen the park.
fullest expression. This
Park
will
host
The park is a tribute
is also where artists in
to the extended family
the production, including
art shows,
where multiple generations
Native American Educator
special
events
have made memories.
of the Year Jacque Nunez,
Now through family
will teach Native American
and feature
camps (Family Frontier
and pioneer histor y.
a
small-
Vacations), families will
(For more information
log visitor
stay at Applegate River
about “Romancing
Ranch Lodge, surrounding
the West,” visit www.
center…
properties and in historic
romancingthewest.org.)
Jacksonville, and will dine
Williams resident,
at Applegate River Ranch
educator Jim Bickers who,
Restaurant, the Applegate
along with his wife Merry,
Cafe and Store, and enjoy local wineries. invented the Oregon lamp, had first
Children will experience history, encouraged me to think about how we
nature, art and music while their parents might create something wonderful at the
tour local wineries, and families can river park. We are very grateful to Jackie Inman
raft, swim, and enjoy time together. The for giving us an opportunity to fulfill this
There are
many reasons
t h e w o r l d ’s
environment
Chris Bratt
is in such bad
shape. But the main reason is that the
present corporation-ruled economic
system in use worldwide has failed to
maintain the health and stability of the
natural world. Rather, these corporations
have exploited the world’s resources for
financial gain. Enough gain to make them
richer than most nations in the world.
Changing this system should be our first
order of business.
If residents of this region want a
healthy economy, a pristine environment
and quality of life, they will have to make
the political and economic investments
necessary to guard against environmental
degradation. These are chronic problems
we face, but they are not insurmountable.
If communities can agree to take the
lead in settling their differences for the
common good, preventing exploitation
without limits and relying on the best
available science for caretaking nature, we
have a chance to continue. But, we must
make peace with nature and embrace our
compatibility with all things if we want
to avoid economic disaster and survive
ourselves.
The world is now part of our
community and each one of us must show
the way by becoming its guardian. Can I
sign you up?
Chris Bratt
541-846-6988
frOm pAge 4
After years of being closed, the swimming hole at Oh Oregon Frontier Park and Cultural Center
(Wayside Park) in downtown Applegate is open once again due the efforts of Christina Duane.
vision and for all of you who have donated
by ordering your park patronage brick. The
sentiments on the bricks are so touching
and showcase the beauty and diversity of
the people here. It brings all of us joy to
see the community coming together and
enjoying the river there again.
Our sponsors will be paid honor
in the park as those who joined the
community in preserving and creating
family traditions for residents and visitors
alike, and leaving the legacy of this land
and its people to the next generation.
Christina Duane
541-292-7829
christina2@purposemedia.com