May 30, 2010

This afternoon, with my wife, I listened to The Thistle and Shamrock NPR radio show with creator and host, Fiona Ritchie (not sure I spelled that correctly). This is a show devoted to Scottish and Irish music and culture. Celtic, if you will. We have listened to and enjoyed this show from its beginnings (20 or so years?). You can learn more by going to http://www.thistleradio.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=83&Itemid=84

This week, Fiona's theme was Wilderness. I happen to be closely associated with the World Wilderness movement and some of the key organizations behind this movement. All this aside, one of the feature performances she had this week was a song about John Muir, who came to the U. S. from Scotland (long ago). The song asked the question of what would Scotland be like today if Muir had grown up in Scotland, instead of the United States. Muir started the Sierra Club, which many developers, bankers and corporate people considre "the enemy". All that aside, let me encourage everyone to learn more about John Muir. You can do so by going to  http://www.sierraclub.org/john_muir_exhibit/frameindex.html?http://www.sierraclub.org/john_muir_exhibit/life/muir_biography.html

John Muir had triumphs and sad defeats in his quest to protect nature in America. But Muir had a profound influence on America and still does. This country's National Park System, protection of the natural world, and keeping things balanced are among his legacies. He was determined that people should "do something for wildness and make the mountains glad." Because of Muir's persistence and influence, our country has the grandest public land system in the world. One gem within this public land system is the system of National Parks. Even above these wondorous places is the National Wilderness Preservation System. Wherever John is now, he has to be smiling. If you want to learn more, (and you should, these are your lands) go to www.wilderness.net.  You won't believe what you see, but understand that what you see is YOURS! OURS!

More later, but let me circle back to the threats to some of OUR public land close to my home....  This would be Jekyll Island State Park. This is a state park on the coast of Georgia and is often referred to as Georgia's Jewel. Muir would have been proud of Jekyll Island. Much of it has been kept natural, or at least mostly so. But, the developers, bankers and corporations who by appointment by the Governor of Georgia now run the Jekyll Island Authority seem determined to develop this state park. Plans are being pushed to put on the beachfront high rise hotels, plush loft apartments, condos, botique shops, and other commercial development which average Georgians will not be able to afford. To this Authority, the Jekyll Island Authority, there seems to be no other vision than to develop,  build, and profit.

I am confident that John Muir woujld not approve of this commercial development plan for Jekyll Island. I thank Fiona Ritchie for playing that song that commemorated John Muir. I so wish I could bring John back for a while to help us fight for Jekyll Island and for all the Georgia citizens and wildlife who love it. Where will the greed end? John, wherever you are, please know that Jekyll Island is my Hetch Hetchy. Could you perhaps slip back for a wee visit here......

May 28, 2010

Rick Just is a planner with the state of Idaho. In the most recent news letter of the National Association of Recreation Resource Planners he provided an excellent review of Remember Jekyll Island. This book has been written by Dr. Babs McDonald. Rick Just says of this book:

“McDonald’s book is a well-documented case study of development proposals on Georgia’s only publically owned accessible barrier island. The book focuses on the variance between the decision making methods of the Jekyll Island Authority and well accepted standards of planning, including—prominently—the Principals of Recreation Resource Planning developed by NARRP (National Association of Recreation Resource Planners).

 In her book, McDonald … states, “What happens on Jekyll may foreshadow what could happen to Georgia’s other state parks and those around the country. What is at stake is the continued existence of accessible state public lands, lands that are and should be the birthright of every state citizen.”

 … this book is well worth reading …. It is a reminder of the importance of what we (professional planners) do and a warning of the consequences of inadequate public involvement.

 The book can be ordered from: www.rememberjekyllisland.com [beginning mid to late June], and will be posted on the NARRP Marketplace, where you’ll find many other great books for recreation planners.” (For information about the National Association of Recreation Resource Planners, visit www.narrp.org.)

 I have followed the Jekyll Island State Park story for over 3 years now. For one, I intend to follow McDonald’s lead and continue to speak up and take a stand for citizens, for OUR state parks and public lands, and for responsible management of those lands, not pell mell for-private-profit commercial development.  Ken Cordell,