Yes! I plan on attending one of the four meetings they have provided to discuss with the community how these lands should be preserved. Who knows; Maybe I'll attend all four. I often serve as a spiky, festering thorn in certain individuals sides.
Now, don't think I'm against conservation. Nor am I against managing the lands. And, I'm definitely not against maintained trails or even keeping those people off the public lands who like to go out and shoot up old mattresses after doing who knows what on them.
I am, however, in support of maintaining the lands as our government agencies have defined them, "to conserve, protect, and enhance for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations the ecological, scenic, wildlife, recreational, cultural, historical, natural, educational, and scientific resources."
Conserve
Ranchers have always made conservation a goal; These lands are their livelihood.
Protect
The public who has supported these lands throughout.
Enhance
Do you mean the lands maintained by us ranchers? What else shall we enhance for you?
Benefit and Enjoyment
We sure do enjoy our lifestyle!
Present and Future Generations
Have we forgotten all the past generations did for our great lands?
Cultural
Whose culture is this after all? Please tell me everyone who loves the cowboy past...Have you forgotten the still-living, ever present, always adapting present and future cowboys?
If we do not attend these meetings, lobby, telephone, meet in person and stand up for what we believe on a daily basis...We will lose everything we have worked so hard to conserve, protect, enhance, benefit from and enjoy. We will lose our culture, a culture present and future generations would prefer to enjoy themselves!
I beg you; If you are involved with ranching, farming, agriculture or plan to be involved in the future. Attend these meetings. Be heard. Have a loud, yet calm, well heard and understood voice. Research, research, research. Read anything you can get your hands on. Pray. And remember, once our public lands have been taken away from us, something else just as important is next. Someone will hear your voice!
