Page 9 - Winter 2013 magazine 2 layout

Likewise, as long as we have public land, and places like Red Rock Canyon, THIS LAND IS YOUR LAND

we will also fulfill the ideal that all Americans are born with equal opportunity Woody Guthrie

and equal potential. There are no social or government crutches here. Instead, all Written in 1956, the message still
are free to travel where they wish, pushed only by their own determination and rings true.

limited only by their own innate abilities and interests. This land is your land, this land is
my land
So by protecting public lands, we protect the From California, to the New York
best of the American experiment. Because pub- Island
lic lands represent our ideals, their strength re- From the redwood forest, to the
flects the strength of the American vision. These gulf stream waters
By Aaron Leifheit
By Aaron Leifheit ideals will be lost only when the self interests of This land was made for you and
By Aaron Leifheit
the few overwhelm the indifference of the many. me

Gary Vetter removing graffiti As I was walking a ribbon of high-
For all these reasons public lands such as Red Friends Archives way
Rock Canyon are worth fierce protection. Regard- I saw above me an endless skyway
less of your views on politics, the federal government or the state of the union, I saw below me a golden valley
this is an idea that everyone can support. This land was made for you and
me
Thankfully, we have passionate Friends here dedicated to just that.
I've roamed and rambled and I've
A few weeks ago, I was at Lost followed my footsteps
Creek hiking with at-risk middle To the sparkling sands of her dia-
schoolers from the After School mond deserts
All-Stars. Just as we started out And all around me a voice was
sounding
on the trail, we ran into the This land was made for you and
Friends of Red Rock Canyon me
Natural Resources Committee, The sun comes shining as I was
who had just returned from re-
After School All-Stars with Mojave Max strolling
Photo by A. Leifheit habbing the Lost Creek trail. The wheat fields waving and the
dust clouds rolling

The two groups couldn’t have been more different The fog was lifting a voice come
— young green city kids wearing skater shoes and chanting
This land was made for you and
experienced environmental stewards wearing steel me
toes. To my surprise, the children were fascinated:
“You mean YOU guys moved that big rock?” As I was walkin' - I saw a sign
there
“How did you do that?” “What’s that tool for?” And that sign said - no trespassin'
“You mean you do this for FREE?” “Why would But on the other side it didn't say
you fix Red Rock for people you don’t even nothin!
know?” “And what’s there to fix anyways?” Now that side was made for you
and me!
Throughout the conversation, the children saw the
knowledge and passion of the volunteers and took In the squares of the city - In the
shadow of the steeple
some of that spark with them. Near the relief office - I see my
people
In time, that spark and their passion for America’s Blaine Benedict with a McLeod And some are grumblin' and some
best ideas may grow. trail tool.
Photo by G. Vetter are wonderin'
If this land's still made for you and
Isn’t that what protecting your land and my land is all about? me.

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