Yellowstone Country Guardians Field Journal

Tribute To Conservation Icon Stewart Udall...

The West lost one of its greatest wilderness crusaders on March 20th with the passing of the conservation icon, Stewart Udall.  In the midst of the partisan craziness occupying Washington and the rest of the country today, every politician, advocate, leader and active citizen can and should honor the legacy of Mr. Udall by finding ways to be less polarizing and more effective in working toward our goals.  Stewart Udall was visionary and understood the importance of bringing people together and moving agendas to benefit the numerous treasures which abound across the Western landscape.

As we move forward in an effort to inspire the next generation of wildland enthusiasts and guardians of places like Yellowstone Country, may we take to heart the sacrifices that great leaders in conservation, like Stewart Udall, made on the behalf of wild landscapes and future generations.  While his charisma, charm and ability to articulate the arguments that needed to be made helped former Secretary of Interior Udall achieve great results, it was his salt-of-the-earth persona that people will remember most.  Udall—a pioneer of the modern day conservation movement—was above the haughty attitude that often accompanies many corners of the conservation world today and possessed the ability to work collaboratively in order to accomplish the task at hand.  But perhaps his greatest attribute of all was his passion for wild places and the fact that he genuinely cared about what he was fighting for and what was at stake.  For Udall, it was not about ego, but instead about what had to be done to save wild places.   

Udall will be sorely missed by those of us who aspire to positively impact the waters, land and communities that we intimately know and love.  May we honor Stewart Udall’s legacy by passionately pushing forward in our effort to inspire those around us to nurture the wild spirit of the Western landscape.    

~Michael Leach, Director

To read more about Stewart Udall, check out this tribute by Gary Nabhan at HighCountryNews.org

Spring Fury Descends Upon Yellowstone...

After many weeks of bluebird days and cavernous skies, more typical spring weather in Yellowstone Country hit with a fury today.  As I write these words, quarter sized, wet snowflakes are caressing the landscape all around us.  And according to the weather forecast the rest of the week is going to yield much of the same. Though dark and dreary, the much needed snow falling today is a cause of celebration for river enthusiasts yearning for a summer filled with fishing and rafting bliss. 

Though certainly cozy and perhaps a little depressing after the last month of sunshine, the snow falling throughout Yellowstone Country tonight will inevitably send all river-rats to bed with surging waters flowing through our brains.  And while we have all enjoyed the countless days of sunny weather in recent weeks, the storm now engulfing the region gives hope to us all that the marginal snow-pack we currently have will be boosted by spring storms that will fuel our summer adventures.

~Michael Leach, Director
All day snow flurries engulfing Gardiner, Montana.

Park's Roads Are Open To Cycling...

Our hopes for an early opportunity at adventure has become a reality.  On the 20th of March the much anticipated opening of interior roads in YNP to adventurous cyclists was greeted with enthusiasm. On Sunday, we ventured with YCG supporter and friend Dale Sexton of Timber Trails on our first big ride of the year. Though we faced headwinds of 35+mph with upwards of 50 mph gusts when struggling through the gap at Golden Gate (which made for an arduous ride), the crisp blue sky and bright sunshine kept us going and enjoying a beautiful journey.

This was my Lil’ Ones first bike trip in Yellowstone National Park as Dale kindly brought us a loaner Chariot Trailer and we both struggled up the headwind ridden climb with trailers and baby girls (Dale pulled two toddlers) in tow.  While our the three girls laughed and giggled all the way to Swan Lake Flats before falling asleep, those of us on bikes endured the onslaught of gravel and rock pebbles being lifted by the wind and thrown into our ducking heads ricocheting off our helmets.    

This week’s snowfall may put down the skinny tire cycling for a few days but hopefully by Easter weekend lovers of Yellowstone will be able to celebrate with family and friends on a paved path of exploration.     

~Michael Leach, Director

The long open road pulls us towards adventure with baby in tow...

What could be better? A sleeping baby, open road and Electric Peak in the background.

Celebrate YNP's 138th Birthday and Support YCG...

Thanks to this special offer from our friends at Wild Hare Photos, for a limited time you can purchase locally produced litho cards from one of our favorite regional artist's while contributing to YCG:

Celebrate the world's first national park's birthday all week!

Love Yellowstone?

Buy one set of YNP litho cards, get one set free (max three free sets) and a % of each sale goes to Yellowstone Country Guardians.

Sale through Friday March 5 for paypal orders only at www.wildharephotos.com, then  e-mail me (Hobie Hare) at [email protected] to let me know which free set(s) you want-winter or summer.

Feel free to tell your friends, and help support a great cause!  Follow the link below in the signature-thanks!

Connecting people with nature through workshops and guiding, photography, and writing!

Please visit:
http://www.wildharephotos.com
http://yourlifenature.wordpress.com