Shannon

One of the critiques this site, and sites and publications like it, receive occasionally is that we're encouraging folks to "love parks/nature to death" or, in other words, giving away the secret sights (and sites) to be found outdoors. It's actually been awhile since this criticism has been levelled our way, but when it is the tone is usually very critical. "How can you claim to love nature?" or "You're the reason my favorite place is ruined/overrun!"

Presumably, our photos and trip reports entice others to visit the locations we've visited. Conversely, they also show the beauty and tremendous diversity to be found in Texas and in nature, hopefully making people more mindful of our environment and conservation.

So, what say you all? Where's the dividing line between sharing one's love of nature and the outdoors and protecting the resources and places that kindle that love?

There are times I'm on the trail and remember five or ten years ago hiking the same trail at the same time of year in virtual solitude. Happy coincidence, or are some of our Texas parks really getting too "well known" or, at least, much more crowded? Is it anyone's fault at all, or merely a consequence of population increasing and public land not keeping pace with it? Texas is, afterall, near the bottom of the list when it comes to public land per capita.

Just thought I'd throw that out... I've never broached the topic publicly here, but figured it was time to let folks stir the pot if they wanted to.

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copuswalker

4 years ago we lived in the Spring (houston) area. The area grew tremendously taking all in it's path. We ended up moving to the small town of Crockett tx.
People here are complaining about the influx of people from the larger cities.
We started trailer camping 10 years ago and used to see no one all winter. Now you can't find a spot on Thanksgiving weekend.

I hike through the week usually and find little to no traffic. We now camp further from the "big Cities". We now live further from the big towns.
All in all it appears population growth is the main culprit. We have favorite spots we keep secret.

Does this or other sites like it ruin it for others? I don't think so.

__________________
There are those that hike and those that don't and those that say they will but won't.

Cube

Hello all,

As I climb up on my soapbox, again...
We are our own worst enemy in this regard. The enemy of wilderness is not overuse, but underuse. It is not popularity but neglect. It is not love but indifference that kills the park. We "Outdoor Folk" need to wake up and smell the development.

Each year more and more people, especially children, succumb to the TV, the computer and the air conditioning. They don't know and don't care about the sound of the wind in the tree tops, the sound of water trickling, the marvel of a found bird feather or the satisfying weight of a pack.

Do we invite these couch potoatoes out? Do we encourage others to come see the wonders we have seen? Do we work together, outdoorfolk versus indoorfolk? Trailwalkers versus Mallwalkers? No.. we bicker and we contest and we challenge the purity of each other's motives.

Do I like the crowding at parks? Of course not, but if enough people actually find value in the entirety of the experience, then we will begin to see more parks requested and folks will be willing to pay for them. Would a private park system work? It would if people were willing to pay for the experience. As long as the park system is a drain on resources, then it must stand in line, hat in hand, and take what it can get from the government.

I am a hunter and am amazed at the hostility directed to those who choose to enjoy the outdoors while hunting. If non-hunters and anti-hunters would look at the model, you would see a success story in terms of habitat, animal numbers and fundraising. Of course, that takes me back to my original point, we fight over the small details in each others positions while the bulldozers push over our favorite old camping grounds.

Thanks for the platform and good day to all!

copuswalker

Allright Cube, Tell em like it is.
I have to laugh when you talk about the kids. I have 5 kids and have only ever gotten the two college boys to hike. My 14 year old will never hike unless they develop a virtual hike. My 12 year old looks at me like I'm insane when I ask if he wants to go on a hike. I suppose this may take care of the trail overuse?

__________________
There are those that hike and those that don't and those that say they will but won't.

Rattler20

Hello all, I'm new to this site and enjoy reading the posted scripts. My take on inviting the public to step outside is...c'mon, but respectfully. A recent outing to Daingerfield State Park reminded me of what scouting taught us as young'ns. Granted I haven't done any serious hiking since Philmont, NM in '70, but I really enjoy breathing the fresh air for a change and being content with the trails others before me had forged. Out of respect of my elders and respect for others who use the trails, I bent over (not something I'm accustomed of doing) and picked up several pieces of trash along the way and still managed to take quite a few snapshots of the beautiful surroundings. I enjoy sharing the good times, the wonderful sites, and invite others to do the same. Be mindful of our surroundings and what we leave behind while in the woods...or sagebrush. Also I like the fact that you cannot collect firewood from the State Parks anymore, it gives the trails a natural look and provides shelter for the creatures that live there.

Thanks for all y'all do and for hosting this forum.

Cube

Howdy again,

Please don't misunderstand my point. The outdoors needs to be treated properly and with respect.

We could, through Scouts or other venues take newbies under our wings and let them become good outdoor citizens. Otherwise they will flounder around for a bit and then, return to their AC havens.

See y'all on the trail.

Rattler20

I agree Cube,

What we need is a way to connect our youth with programs that will hold their interests without becoming a drain on public funds. Scouts are one way, but not available to a lot of teens these days for several reasons. We need to create new venues such as the Junior Rangers program that Yellowstone offers. Or more Bible camps from local parish', Outdoor awareness for troubled teens, etc. We know what we need, but how/who do will initiate the programs that need to be in place? I'm not aiming this at you, it's actually just something that was brought to my attention and discussed over the weekend. Let's get the word out any way we can and see what other ideas stem from it. Eventually, hopefully, enough people will understand and want to contribute to the ideas of many an outdoor enthusiast.

Thanks, but gotta go,
Rattler20

toejam

I think there needs to be designated places like parks where the masses can go get a quick outdoor fix. They should be as easy to access (cheap) as possible. I'm willing to pay people (taxes) for the upkeep of state parks etc. so that there can be wilderness areas where I can go to get away from the crowds.

Cube is right that the masses need to be exposed and educated so they appreciate the wild places and have a heart for conservation. Let them over-use some parks so we can have large wilderness areas. Most people will hurry back to the t.v. before causing too much damage.

The thing that concerns me most is having my access to national forests and wilderness areas restricted.

kai

I'll admit, I'm an outsider. I've been here for just under a year, and come next christmas, I'll be gone again.

The first thing I noticed when I moved to San Antonio last winter was a lack of city parks. There are a few, yes, but not many. And the ones that are there- well, you have to drive, or a take a bus to get there. The ones I end up frequenting are all outside the outer loop of the city. Somedays, I would like to go, but the idea of sitting in traffic to go to a park really doesn't appeal to me. On the days I do go, I am always amazed at how empty they are. The parking lots are empty, the trails are mostly empty.

I think the city parks (regardless of the city) play an important role in getting the masses outside. Its asking a bit much of your regular couch potato to drive 1/2 hr to go take a walk in a city park, let alone drive an hour or more to go to a nice state park. Theres no way that people will vote for funding parks if they don't ever use them. Theres no way that people will respect the environment that they live in if they don't really know its there at all- so the decisions they make on a daily basis have no relevance (for them) to the environment that they live in. I think this might have a lot to do with the amount of litter that is EVERYWHERE in S.A.

I think part of the problem of getting people outside, at least in S.A., is that its such a production to get outside. S.A. is not a pedestrian or biker friendly city. Many times deciding to walk or ride somewhere means literally taking your life into your own hands. Yet these are the most common ways that kids get around their neighborhoods. If there were parks that the kids could get to on their own, they might develop a love for the outdoors. If that were to happen, they may grow into adults that love the outdoors.

I don't think that getting more people outside is a bad idea. People need to get out, they need exercise and unpolluted air. The citizens of our country are developing more and more health problems associated with the increase of obesiety in both adults and children- its putting a strain on our health care and our workforce.

It would be sad if all the beautiful state parks were over run with loud, obnoxious, non respectful people. But I think that if there were more city parks, then many of the people most likely to be irritating and detrimental to the environment would be those people who don't want to drive all the way to the big state parks- the outlet they can get at a city park might be enough.

Overall, the benefits of getting people outside far outweigh the drawbacks of getting more people outside. Our country has become very sedintary, and its very unhealthy. Also, political decisions are made about our country's park land that will affect many future generations, yet not many people can associate with those places, and cannot see the significance.

People are only going to care about land that they have a connection to. No one is going to throw money at a problem that they cannot identify with. No one will loose sleep over something they have seen, smelled, tasted or felt.


In the mean time, when I go out, whether with or without my dog, I carry several grocery bags rolled up in my pocket to pick up trash (and my dog's doo as well). As I hike along, I pick up what I see, as long as it fits in the bags. And when I come across other hikers, I tell them I am collecting to trash to help clean up the park and ask them if they have trash they'd like to put in my bag- hopefully, that little question might plant a seed in their minds (or at least keep some additional litter off the ground).


[that was really long and disorganized. sorry- was writing quickly- out of time]