I would like to thank those folks working and supporting our public lands. They have been going above and beyond the call of duty these last few months. I was quite worried about how our public lands would fare this summer after deep budget cuts and the firing of so many workers. Now that autumn is upon us, I find myself relieved that these beautiful mountains around us have survived the heat and dryness and the lack of human caretakers.
I know that folks still at the forest service have stepped up to the best of their abilities to fill the gaps left by seasonal workers and scientists gone. They must be exhausted. And organizations such as the San Juan Mountain Association have reallocated funds to ensure that pit toilets in critical use areas such as the Molas Pass turn-off have been cleaned and stocked with supplies.
I fear this is not sustainable. Humans can only do so much and organizations need yet more funds to continue protecting our lands. Hopefully, we can all work together over the winter months to figure out how the federal government can reallocate needed funds that have been withdrawn. Those of us who treasure this beautiful place we live in need to come together to create local solutions.
Nicki Massieon
Durango
