The Happy Camper: Where Have Our Wilderness Values Gone?
I spent a week in the woods, finally! It was my annual spring canoe/fishing trip in Algonquin with my regular buddies—plus my partner’s son Jesse joined me in the canoe this season. Kristine’s son was a nice addition. It was his first extensive backcountry trip in the park.
I needed a trip. I had spent most my time since late February on the road, presenting at outdoor shows, chatting on podcasts and radio… basically spreading the word on how time outdoors is good for the soul. Now it was time to do what I had been preaching.
The weather was cold, it pissed rain for the majority of the trip, the black flies were horrid, the brook trout weren’t biting—but the food was good, the comradery was amazing and we spotted a total of nine moose.
Jesse and I drove back listening to a mixture of tunes and some podcast on how scientists brought back the prehistoric Dire Wolf. It was silly mindless banter and kind of relaxing.
All was good in the world.
Then I woke with a foggy brain brought on by a long paddle out and a long drive home and stupidly turned on the news channel—something I hadn’t heard for a solid week. It’s a different perspective, that’s for sure; to come out of the woods and be reminded how anthropocentric humans are, in general.
It was announced that President Donald Trump’s new “big, beautiful bill” allowed the House Natural Resources Committee to approve legislation that eliminated the mining ban on Superior National Forest—the area that protects the watershed for the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA). It’s one of the largest protected wilderness areas in the United States. It would also open up oil exploration in the Arctic National Wildlife refuge.
This legislation has been labelled as the most anti-environment bill in American history!
There was also bad news on our side of the border against the environment. Doug Ford, Minister of Ontario, tabled Bill 5, which would end the province’s endangered species act (created in 2007). Legislation would now fast-track mining and infrastructure projects, giving no guidance to Ontario’s most vulnerable wildlife.
These attacks against wilderness values aren’t new. Past environmentalists have spoken against similar issues.
The Mountaineer John Muir, known as the “Father of National Parks,” had his revelation when he came upon a rare white orchid and wrote, “Would not the world suffer from the banishment of a single weed.” Aldo Leopold, American writer and philosopher, spoke of it when he looked into the dying eyes of a wolf he had shot: “I realized then, and have known ever since, that there was something new to me in those eyes—something known only to her and the mountain.” American naturalist Henry David Thoreau also spoke clearly about the deep connection we should have with nature: “I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.” So did American author Barry Lopez: “To put your hands in a river is to feel the chords that bind the earth together.”
So, if all these nature philosophers reminded us throughout history that it will be our self-interest that will be the ultimate demise of the human species, then why are we repeating history and eroding our wilderness values once again?
Maybe Sigurd Olson has the best quote for all that is happening now. He was the renowned writer who helped protect the Boundary Waters Canoe Area and who would uncontrollably weep in his grave knowing what is happening to his sacred place right now.
“And so, when we talk about intangible values, remember that they cannot be separated from the others. The conservation of waters, forests, soils and wildlife are all involved with the conservation of the human spirit. The goal we all strive toward is happiness, contentment, the dignity of the individual and the good life. This goal will elude us forever if we forget the importance of the intangibles.”
Some deep thoughts, that’s for sure. And maybe I need another canoe trip to sort things out rather than listening to the news all day. And, coming from some weather-beaten canoeist who just soaked his soul in silence for a week, maybe some of our leaders need to do the same.
I agree with the simple truth that the woods and getting away is good for your soul and is a reset of sorts . Unfortunately all good things come to an end and we are forced to face the truths and challenges of the world we live in, but till the next adventure where we can shed it all again even for that brief time.
Well said. Thanks for sharing this perspective. As an Outdoor Educator , i feel this is what our children face today. Less connection to the forest, laakes and nature in general. Our leaders should be doing everything they can to protect our wild spaces. Doug Ford , and Bill 5 = corrupt , illegal. The news is rough to listen to and watch. Kevin, I like your videos especially the ones with rain. Beyond the instagram shots of wildlife and sunny skies, your videos show the fun of being with good friends. The fun of a good meal around a fire. Simple and beautiful.