the bird on fire

By Peter Kadel, Blogger Naturalist

Mountains, throughout history they’ve been there. Majestic towering behemoths that inspire adventure and invoke wanderlust in the hearts and minds of people everywhere. The Greeks told stories of the famed Mount Olympus where the gods dwelt; mountaineers dream of summiting lofty peaks such as Mount Everest; the rolling hills and mild peaks in the Lake District of Great Britain have inspired many classic literary works. Mountains are deeply ingrained in our history, and I believe they can be instrumental in fostering a new appreciation and even reverence for the natural world. Mountains are more than just geological features; they are mighty titans that bellow a challenge to the world, daring us to summit them. Climbing a mountain, putting its entirety beneath you and breathing in the vistas seen from that exalted point of view, is a thrill that will instill anyone with a love of the earth and a desire to protect it. Since the beginning of time we have sought safety in valleys and looked for protection in the shadows of mountains, but now as we have become more adventurous, we seek out the challenges mountains have to offer. And this is good; it’s common sense that being outside is good for you. Exercise and fresh air are beneficial.

If we can convince people to appreciate and even enjoy the mountains in the world, then we are one step closer to preserving then for generations to come. After all, people are more likely to protect things they care about. And protecting mountains and the surrounding areas isn’t just to allow recreation; it can also keep water sources clean because many mountains deposit rainwater and melted snow into lakes and rivers below. Protecting the mountains–staving off development–will go a long way towards protecting our water sources from contamination. These benefits won’t just help us; the various critters that inhabit mountains benefit greatly from having places that aren’t full of people and factories and housing subdivisions. Giving the natural world and its denizens their own space will greatly improve the harmony between mankind and nature.

Editor: Makena Behnke