Hugh Bollinger / Friday, August 5, 2011

Our best idea

The filmmaker, Ken Burns, called America's national parks our "best idea" in his six-part study of the history, philosophy, and status of our natural preserved landscapes. It was one of the most popular documentary films aired on public television. One segment included a conversation with Shelton Johnson, a park ranger of African and Indigenous American ancestry who grew up in Detroit, a city far removed from these wild parklands. Johnson made a strong call to expand the visitor base to the national parks from members of America's racial minorities to build a more diverse constituency for their further preservation and expansion. Today, The Conservation Alliance hosted a breakfast at an outdoor industry tradeshow and Sheldon Johnson was their featured speaker. The talk was inspirational and Johnson received a standing ovation from the packed ballroom audience of outdoor industry enthusiasts. In his personal, humorous, and wide ranging commentary on the value of wild lands and wilderness areas to everyone, the focus of his presentation was the low level of visitation by kids from inner city America. Using quotes from great writers and thinkers, Sheldon Johnson made a moving case for reaching out to kids who have never dreamed about the Grand Canyon, the Everglades, Mount St. Elias, Yellowstone, Yosemite, or any other wild place. He concluded his super-cool talk with a Buddhist-like mindful thought that "it's not about where you go but who you bring along on for the walk." Here's a short video of a Johnson's interview on young people and national parks: Our national parks and wilderness areas took on even more meaning today. Riled Up

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Tags: conservation national parks outdoor industry Outdoor Retailer Sheldon Johnson The Conservaiton Alliance wilderness youth outdoors

Our best idea

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