Monday, March 26, 2007

A Time of Reflection

New Orleans, LA

Yesterday I took a post-Katrina tour of New Orleans. It was a sobering experience going through the 9th Ward and St Bernard Parish and seeing FEMA trailers in front of destroyed houses as people struggle to get back to a semi-normal life. One has to wonder that if children had more exposure to nature if they would have realized as adults the important role wetlands played in protecting against hurricanes http://www.sptimes.com/2005/09/05/Worldandnation/Katrina_offers_lesson.shtml
Sadly many politicians have still not learned the important role wetlands protection plays in creating a barrier against natural disasters http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15305378/
The experience of seeing the damage of Katrina a year and a half after the hurricane reaffirmed my desire to see every child have an opportunity to see the important role nature plays in our every day lives. For a great overview of Katrina and the political and social ramifications I would suggest Douglas Brinkley's book the Great Deluge http://www.amazon.com/Great-Deluge-Hurricane-Katrina-Mississippi/dp/0061124230/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-2335623-0655921?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1174965092&sr=8-1

On a much brighter note in New Mexico SB 2 the Outdoor Classrooms bill was signed into law. This important bill will help connect children in New Mexico with their State Parks. The Sierra Club was a leader in this effort and much credit is due to New Mexico BBTO Rep. Michael Casaus whose hard work and determination led to this success.

In Washington, HB 1677 'The Leave No Child Inside Act' http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=1677 is still moving forward and passed out of the Washington House 97-0 on a unanimous vote! Here is a good article on how The Leave No Child Inside Act is a House priority http://www.theolympian.com/125/story/72342.html

Spring is here so grab your hiking boots or your fishing road or both and get outdoors and enjoy!