YOU MIGHT BE SURPRISED
Top Five Outdoor Stories of 2009, 21st Century
Issues getting the most press coverage might not be the most significant.
By Bill Schneider, 12-31-09
It’s always difficult to rank the top outdoor stories. Should I pick the stories that grabbed the most headlines and created the most controversy? Or do I select stories that have more significance to the future of the earth and our ability to enjoy the great outdoors, even if that issue might have been lightly covered by the press and doesn’t come up often at the coffee shop or saloon.
If you go with the headline grabbers, two issues, wilderness and wolves, easily lead the pack. I’d actually consider this a tie for first place. Any mention of either “W word” automatically generates howls of protest or support from extremely engaged public on both sides of the issues. The phenomenally successful, if not too successful, re-introduction of wolves and the seemingly endless attempt to protect our last roadless lands never disappoint reporters looking for hot copy.
But if you go with long-term significance, my pick for the top story of not only 2009 but also of the 21st Century is the pandemic of Nature Deficit Disorder, a term so aptly coined by Richard Louv in his best-selling outdoor book, Last Child in the Woods. Our next generation, the so-called “screen generation,” growing up without a connection to nature has rightfully caused a panic among conservation groups and the outdoor industry. Nowadays, kids stay inside, close to electric outlets, and consequently, we aren’t getting enough recruitment into most outdoor activities and hence not as much outdoor gear being sold, nor are we getting increases in memberships of green groups.
I’m sure some readers believe climate change is a bigger outdoor story. I suppose I’ll rile up a few of them by not agreeing, but I persist in thinking that without a populace interested in natural wonders, involved in outdoor activities and in preserving wild nature, we’re looking at the end of the game.
Anyway, here are my picks for the top five outdoor stories of 2009, in both categories, with a slight bias toward issues key to the New West and those we covered on NewWest.Net.
HEADLINE GRABBERS:
1. Ending the Wilderness Debate. Efforts to end the 26-year Wilderness Drought in both Idaho and Montana probably grabbed as much news as any other outdoor issue, except perhaps, the wolf delisting and hunting controversy. Chief among the headlines would be efforts by Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID) and Senator Jon Tester (D-MT) to move forward. Crapo actually pulled it off with the passage of the Owyhee-Bruneau Wilderness Act, and as 2009 slips away, Tester is pushing hard to end Montana’s drought by passing the state’s first wilderness bill since 1983, a misnamed wilderness bill that he calls the Forest Jobs and Recreation Act, S. 1470.
1. Wolf Wars. Ever since the federal government approved re-introduction of the exterminated gray wolf back into Idaho, Montana and Wyoming in 1995 and 1996, the Big Dog has stirred up more controversy than all the other species on earth combined. A colossal victory for conservationists but an unwelcome agent of change for many westerners, the big bad wolf really showed its stuff by populating the New West much faster than even the experts expected. That brought attempts by both the Bush and Obama administrations to remove the prolific canine from the protection of the Endangered Species Act, a plan bitterly opposed by many conservation groups, but in the end, the government prevailed, mostly, and Idaho and Montana held their first-ever wolf hunting seasons in 2009--and quite successfully, I might add. The courts still have their fingers in the issue, though, so stay tuned for much more controversy next year.
3. Firearms industry, Pro-gun Groups Prosper. During the worst economic downtown in a generation, the firearms industry had its best sales ever. Gun and ammo manufacturers thrived because of false fear sweeping through the gun community, which was convinced President Obama and the new, blue Congress would enact more restrictive gun laws and regulations, but viola, exactly the opposite happened. Congress passed and Obama signed the most pro-gun law in many years, a bill allowing open, concealed carry of firearms in national parks and wildlife refuges, which goes into effect in February. And this was only one of the numerous pro-gun victories of the year. (Check next week’s column for more on this issue.)
4. Public Lands Omnibus Bill Passes. Early in the Obama administration, after a decade or more of debate and frustration, Congress finally passed and President Obama quickly signed, the massive Public Lands Omnibus Bill, which included Idaho’s Owyhee-Bruneau Wilderness, the Wyoming Range Legacy Act, and 160 other pieces of legislation. The omnibus bill designated 2 million acres of Wilderness, set aside several wild and scenic rivers, created a new national monument and three new national parks, and much more, in all western states, except Montana, where the delegation was MIA in this historic event.
5. Road Rage for Cyclists. In spite of many sincere educational efforts, it seems conflict between motorists and road cyclists on public roadways worsened during 2009.
WORLDLY SIGNIFICANT STORIES:
1. The Nature Deficit Disorder Pandemic. Do your part by spending more time taking children and grandchildren outdoors to experience nature and supporting the No Child Left Inside Act of 2010.
2. The Changing Climate. The most visible indicator of future catastrophic events we all see here in the New West are entire landscapes turned brown by millions of beetle-killed lodgepoles.
3. Economic Downturn Bankrupting Major Ski Resorts. Several large resorts struggled to exist as real estate sales plummeted and financing dried up.
4. Protecting the Last Roadless Lands. Dozens of bills to protect individual wildlands and one key measure to codify the entire Clinton-era Roadless Rule have been introduced to Congress, but how many will pass? Will we ever resolve the seemingly endless debate over how to protect our last roadless federal lands?
5. Recreation Fees Keeping More People Off Their Land. Federal agencies just keep on using the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act of 2004 to add and raise more and more recreational fees, often using highly questionable interpretations of the law, and make visiting our public lands more and more expensive. Consequently, use has declined. Even though Senator Max Baucus (D-MT) has spearheaded a congressional effort to repeal FLREA, his bill has gone nowhere.
[End of article]Not just a caterpillar--that is a wooly bear...
Comment By jay, 12-31-09Where are the positives in the anti-wolf position?
Comment By Todd, 1-03-10Take a look at the uses and the people you do not want on public land and perhaps you will see a corelation to the decreased use of the outdoor by the young. Today both parents generally have to work out of the home and when they have a day off if they are not able to access any area within a reasonable driving distance at todays gas prices, how do you expect those kids to learn to love the outdoors.
Restricted usage via "roadless areas" is depriving a hwole generation of young people the right to enjoy the outdoors.
Shouldn't recreation pay its own way? They've successfully shut down almost all logging and management of the forests. Why shoudl I subsidize recreation in Wilderness Areas that I can't access because of disabilities? If you want more Wilderness you should be willing to pay to support it.
Comment By PollyAnna, 1-04-10Hi Everybody,
"Where are the Positives in the Anti-Wolf Position?"
To Go on Record, my position to the Wolf "Controversy". Hmmm, Years Ago, saved me shekels up to subscribe to the Natural History Magazine. Many moons ago. One year, received a sign up bonus of a record (Yes, I am that Olde) of a recording of wolf sounds, howls, whatever, and on the other side of the record, a narrative by Robert Redford.
Go back in the archive, check out the accuracy of the comment he made in his narrative. The wolfs in North America are, er paraphasing, Not Direct Quote, Peace Loving, as far as attacking Humans. And what I remember most, was a comment to the effect, the wolves in Russia are different. Simply put, check out his comments, They more or less, attack and eat Humans and Everythingelse. Drawing upon Me Olde Geezer Memories, made a comment, NOT EXACT QUOTE, the wolves in North America don't attack people, they are Peace Loving, the only Exception are the Wolves in Russia.
Paid attention to his comment, due to the fact that my Aunt Mary who partially raised me, as a youngster grew up several miles from the Then (Borders tend to shift) from Russia, only as a kid.
Handed down stories from Generation to Generation, Verbally? Some folks can actually remember and keep track of stuff, refered to as Eidatic Imagery/PhotoGraphic Memory.
Anyhow, her comments on Russian Wolfs and their Behaviors, Dove Tailed rather nicely with Robert Redfords's comments on, their behaviors according to this narrative back in the 70's. As in the 1970's.
Anyhow, according to my Aunt, way back in 1500 or 1600, the year was so cold, the major river froze over, and the wolfs from Russia crossed over and attacked and et (ate) Children, Toddlers, etc.
Of course, I Questioned, the Ethnic Considerations, Questioned, could the term Russian Wolfs, be somewhat Discriminatory?
Oh well, Conclusion I came to, Chucked the Ethnic, whatever up to the On Going One Up Manship Game. Did Absorb the WISDOM, Gee Whiz, Animals, even Wolves, can Stalk, Prey Upon, Eat, and otherwise Dine Upon Humans. In my Limited, Conservative Viewpoint, Could it have anything at all to do with Ze Simple Concept of Survival of the Species?
Consider the Fact, Elementary My Dear Watson, if they are Hungery, Starving, what the Heck would one Expect?
Conclusions I came to, Simple, Up Front, and to the Point: As much as I like wolves, they are like anybody else, they can just be Themselves, Express Themselves, Speak Their Truth.
Well, Personally, I am very much partial to wolves, especially when with Me New Age Leanings am very much into Animal Totems. The Wolf is One of Me Major Totems. Just to lay down the foundation for the remarks I am about to make for the re-introduction of wolfs in North America and the Inherent Stupidity of the Genetic Selection of said Populace.
Play a game with my 3 granddaughters, the Question I Pose, "She who runs with the Wolfs!" (By the way, very New Age, Native American, etc. and by the way, I Am a Card Carrying Member of the Republican Party (Family Tradition, mostly vote Bi-Partisan), have taught my granddaughters to respond, You Howl at the Moon.
Goofy, No. Has to do with balancing Common Sense, Imagination, Poetic License. Does have the potential to be Emotionally and Mentally Healthy.
Initially, just to go on Record, was all for the re-introduction of wolfies in the USA. How was I to know, that the, Experts? Political Know It Alls, with their Personal Agendas, and all the folks that were willing to Fight, Claw, and otherwise, Climb up the Horse Pucky Pile, go along with Introducing a Genetically Inclined, Wolfies, that were TOTALLY INAPPROPRIATE for our STATIC HERDS OF DEER, ELK, ANTELOPE WHATEVER. All for Political, er, whatever Agendas.
Let me share with all of you folks, the Cluster Whatever of the Re-Introduction of GENETICALLY, ENVIRONMENTALLY, INNAPPROPRIATE WOLVES!!!
The GENETIC MARKERS of the Wolves that were Introduced, were, Part Canadian (Perhaps Alaskan) wolves, combined with Husky (Part Doggie). Just to make it simple, a Very Simple Concept, in their Normal Activity to Survive, went out and Hunted.
Dined on their Prey? Gee Whiz, Perhaps all they wanted to do was Survive and Raise their Young!
Well, the Most Basic Problem that Cropped up with the Genetically Enhanced Wolfies that were Introduced in the USA. They Dined on the Caribou, that ran Freely, They were not Static Herds. The Deer and Elk of the USA are static, they don't roam Hundreds of Miles, with Breath Breaking Speeds, their Territorial Range is much smaller, They move slower, cover a smaller territory.
Anyhow, the New, Reintroduced wolfies, are Decimating the Elk, Deer, and everythingelse. Common Sense, these animals can't outrun them.
The Greatest Travesty, when these wolfies Do the herds in, Don't even Consume, all of their remains.
Once Upon a Time, I Lived in a World, Where There was Hard Work that You were Willing to Do, Never Looked for a Government Handhout, and Functioned in Common Sense.
Polly Anna
Stated quite as plainly as I can--Polly Anna is lying through his teeth...
Comment By Todd, 1-05-10Well Horst, perhaps you can tell us where the Yellowstone elk have gone?
Comment By horst, 1-05-10I'm guessing the wolves have eaten a lot of the old, sick, elk; but polly was talking about mankillers, I think...
Comment By Todd, 1-05-10Old? Sick? The 19,000 present in the Northern Herd in 94 before the wolves were brought in has been in the 6000 range the last few years, that is a lot of old sick elk, and that is counting clear up to Jim Mountain in Montana. Less than 3000 were inside of the park last year. The calf retention rate is in the low teens, that would mean a lot of old sick calves.
The Firehole/Norris herd went from a steady 550-650 elk since they were first counted to 108 at the end of 2006. The calf count is in the single digits and zero survival some years. They do not migrate, so hunting is not an issue.
Well, todd, I haven't been counting; but, then, I suspect you haven't either. I also suspect you are a panicky RWC who just hates wolves--maybe as badly as pollyanna...
Comment By Todd, 1-05-10AS a matter of fact I have been following the numbers very closely from the beginning and especially when I began to notice a definite decline in the elk all over Yellowstone. I have also been following the calf retention, I remember when the Friends of Yellowstone did a windshield count of the elk calves waaay back there, and counted 12-13, they were laughed at heartily...until the official count was 14 that winter.
Now we have the head biologist, Doug Smith telling various groups that the Northern elk numbers are down to 10,000. That may be the total Yellowstone number, but it hasn't been 10,000 since 2003 when they counted in the 9000s and put little signs all over the park that it was bad counting conditions and there were over 11,000. Next count was in the 8000s.
Instead of highgrading from what you seem to remember, you ought to provide some actual data.
I've always found that more convincing than trying to argue with crap I've pulled out of thin air...
Here is the address of the Western Grey Wolf site. It only lists the reports back to '99, but it has a link back to the beginning. I suspect whoever you are you are aware of all of the counts and are trying to blow smoke. If you really know so little about the wolf recovery program, then you have no business even commenting on the situation we now have.
http://www.fws.gov/mountain-prairie/species/mammals/wolf/
An article on the decline of the elk.
The elk decline artcle
http://www.thebigskyweekly.com/node/258
The Big Sky Weekly should be presumed authoritative why?
Comment By Todd, 1-05-10They do not hold themselves out as authorities, they merely print the news/facts. Sorry that offends you.
Comment By horst, 1-05-10Facts to RWC are merely opinions which support their biases.
Comment By PollyAnna, 1-06-10Dear Todd,
Thank You for posting the websites that I can research during my quiet times at 4:00 in the morning.
Those of us that truly spend time in the Out of Doors, observe the # of Elk, deer, etc. just in the wilds when hiking, have Noticed, Observed, a Tremendous Decline in Sightings.
Not Scientific since I don't take a Calculator and Clip Board along with me when I hike, just Me Trusty Camera and Bear Pepper Mace.
At my Age, really ought to be given some Slack by Horst. The Respect I showed for Older Folks when I was a Youngster and all that. Sadly Lacking in Today's World.
As to his/her comments regarding my Gender. Are You aware, in today's world, Gender Discrimination is supposed to be Not only Politically Incorrect it is also suppose to be NOT ALLOWED.
Actually, will provide my input to this Forum, Blog, whatever. Those types of comments really ought to be banned from this site. Comments on the Gender of the folks involved in comments from this site.
My Considered Opinion, Attitude, OutLook, MindSet, "I am a PERSON FIRST, Gender only indicates, perhaps, certain Common Sense Accomodations that each Gender needs to consider for Sensible Health Choices.
Basic Stuff, such as I would not expect my Husband to go into a medical clinic to have a mammogram. Neither would my Husband expect me to go into a medical clinic and undergo a prostrate exam.
Get Me Drift?
Polly Anna
P.S. Thanks again Todd, for posting the sites I will enjoy reasearching. Always have enjoyed Credible sites with Credible Info.
How Common Sense can You Get.
Polly Anna
Where we spend a lot of time in Wyoming, not near Gas and Oil Drilling so can't blame the decline on Pollution, Upset, or whatever from Gas and Oil Exploration.
I am likely older than you, polly; but age is no excuse for ignorance on either side of this or any issue...
Comment By Wes Leahy, 1-08-10polly anna
WTF r u talking about those of us that really spend time in the outdoors. Right wing crazies and their incessant bs dribble.
As f only RWC spend time in the outdoors.
Only a bat sh*t crazy right winger makes insane claims like that.
polly anna
perhaps if you showed a little respect to the youth we would recieve your outdated, prejudiced opinions just a wee bit better
u get me drift.
Did it ever occur to your right wing crazies that with the lack of wolves that elk and other ungulates were at unaturally high levels.
Historically elk herd numbers were never that high until wolves were rmoved from the landscape
predator bad....elk good
wyoming idiots.
todd
u dummy did u ever think that the lack of roadless and pristine lands ie decimated industrial logging lands are possibly a reason that youngsters are not attracted to the outdoors
right wing crazies spin any issue to justify their whacko opinions despite local, national and global opposition.
Hey Becky J
Why should I pay dearly for subsidized logging of public lands that makes neither economic or ecological sense.
the disability argument with wildenrss is utter bs
3.5 of mt forests are wilderness you cant build ramps up every canyon and peak ...sorry
While we're debating the Top 5 outdoors stores of the millenium ( thus far) I do have to throw a sidearm curveball here: the first post by " Polly Anna " is certainly among the worst commenst I have ever read at NewWest that wasn't a SpamBot. And that's saying something.
More later.
It's a shame with all of the back and forth about the wolves and the science of what's affecting the decline in other species that seeming everyone has ignored Schneider's #1 worldly issue:
1. The Nature Deficit Disorder Pandemic. Do your part by spending more time taking children and grandchildren outdoors to experience nature and supporting the No Child Left Inside Act of 2010.
I join him in asking that everyone support this Act. FYI, we have a Children & Nature movement in Missoula for those who are interested in getting involved. Contact the Msla Parks & Recreation Dept. for more info.