Inspiration for my “Champions of Conservation” competition entry

 

The Native American people who lived and hunted in the area that was to become Yellowstone, had a natural respect for the land and were among the first conservators of it. They had a deep respect for the Creator as they understood him and for all of the gifts that he had given.

Yellowstone’s boundaries encompass some of America’s most spectacular untouched wilderness: endless forests, jagged peaks, crystal-clear lakes, rugged canyons, and alpine meadows. Roaming this terrain is an array of western wildlife unmatched elsewhere: buffalo, elk, deer, grizzly bears, black bears, ospreys, eagles, cougars, coyotes, beavers, white pelicans, and moose. Over two million acres of Rocky Mountain wilderness provide a safe and vast habitat for all of this wildlife.

Nature as seen in Yellowstone, runs on its own time schedule. Here is a place to sit still and let the magic of creation amaze you. In a very short time the show begins. You may catch the colors of a rainbow while gazing at a mountain waterfall. Hike along a marsh trail, and in time you might see a bull moose come walking out of the forest and wade through ankle-deep water.

Early in 1872, Congress moved to set aside 1,221,773 acres of public land straddling the future states of Wyoming, Montana and Idaho as America’s first national park. President Grant signed the bill into low in 1872. The Yellowstone Act of 1872 designated the region as a public “pleasuring-ground” which would be preserved “from injury or spoilation, of all timer, mineral deposits, natural curiosities, or wonders within.”

The law establishing Yellowstone as the first National Park declared the area would be preserved, “for the benefit and enjoyment of the people”

My “Champions of Conservation” entry pays homage to all of the above.

Aspen groves are plentiful in Yellowstone, and thus I have chosen to use a split aspen log for the natural frame.

I have acknowledged both the contributions of our Native American brothers and of the US Congress and President Grant in conserving this wonderful place for future generations.

Finally the inclusion of the post-cards in this memory box show how some of “the people” have enjoyed visiting this most amazing place.

The above statement: “for the benefit and enjoyment of the people” also has a bearing on my job as a custom framer. Although our personal treasures might not mean much to other people, they are an important part of our heritage, something that we can pass on to future generations. My goal as a framer, is to make sure that I do all I can, both in presentation and preservation techniques, to make sure that your memories last the test of time.

John Barlowe