Preface: On Preservation of the Natural World

(Katmai National Park/PBS photo)

"The National Parks: America's Best Idea" is a documentary series produced by filmmaker Ken Burns and was recently aired on PBS TV. It emphasized the fact that it has been a tireless struggle by those who appreciate the natural world and choose to save some of the most beautiful places across this country from being plundered by those motivated by financial profit, personal gain, or limited interests. Preservation of these natural wonders for all future generations to enjoy is a higher order than their plunder for the immediate personal gain of narrow special interests.

(Olympic National Park/PBS photo)

Nature can not be improved upon and is best enjoyed and cared for by preservation and a light footprint placed upon it. Mother nature alone is the best guardian of such places. When men unduly interfere, ugly results often follow and unintended consequences may emerge.

On a much smaller scale, our local parks and public places often encounter similar issues regarding the extent of development applied to them. To the degree that development occurs wisely and in places where appropriate, it may serve the general public well. However, to the extent that development is applied unwisely, it can ruin the natural quality and appeal of once attractive places which nature cared for entirely on a no cost basis.

Here in the Town of Wheatland we have a recent example of our elected representatives serving limited special interests and collaborating in the development of a unique nature park without general public input. In fact, some Town board members appeared to have been uninformed when challenged about the work being done at Oatka Creek Park to install two soccer playing fields in an old field wildlife habitat.

Our elected officials and appointed trustees of these natural places should carefully consider what they do when developing these public resources in terms of who they may benefit and what they will cost all the citizen taxpayers to maintain when mother nature ceases to be their custodian.

Now is the time to reconsider which public representatives will provide open government and serve everyone and not just a few when new initiatives arise. Seldom will all citizens ever agree on any given change but they will most certainly be more satisfied if they at least have an opportunity to comment on how their taxes are being spent through a public forum if they choose to become involved.