The Patience of Stones
by Richard Nelson

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Since the tragedies of September 11, the only way I have found release from the almost unbearable weight of grief and fear is to take myself out into the wild places, where I can find the embrace of peace, where I can see that the world goes on as always, where I can touch my own source and understand that my life depends not just on the good graces of humankind, but also - and ultimately - on my sustenance from the earth itself.

Once again, I ask wild nature to brace up my depleted soul. And in gratitude, I renew my pledge to give something back.

This is why I will continue working to protect the environment even in these dark days. Now, perhaps more than ever, many of us need unhewn, unfettered places to find solace and replenish our spirits, to imagine a sane and reasonable future, to weave our lives together with those of our fellow beings, to understand that we are beholden to - and responsible for - something incomparably larger and more important than ourselves.

I have heard that conservationists all around the country feel overpowered by the situation, as if it had become inappropriate or unpatriotic to speak for the environment; as if our concerns had become irrelevant, measured against the magnitude and urgency of the national crisis. And yet, in the spreading aftermath of terrorism, there are proposals to diminish environmental protections, increase and subsidize resource development, and make more of our national public wildlands available to industry. The most stunning example is an amendment to the Defense Authorization bill, filed by Senator James Inhofe of Oklahoma, that would mandate oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

Is this a time to move quietly aside? I say, unequivocally, no. I trust we have the integrity and determination not to allow our environment, our natural preserves, and our wildlife to become additional victims of terror, magnifying the dimension and permanency of our loss.

Through many years of volunteer work in conservation, I have come to see that activism fully engages us in the democratic process, that the freedom to express our opinion is a precious gift, and that conservation is a way of speaking out for the American land, perhaps the ultimate form of patriotism.

While our flags are waving and patriotism is a constant subject in public discourse, those of us who care deeply about the environment can add our voices as true patriots - not only supporting our human community but also the earth on which our nation stands.

My commitment to conservation activism and my willingness to work for America's natural heritage has never been stronger than it is now. My love and concern for this country, for our democratic principles, and for people everywhere is equally strengthened.

And as each day's events unfold, confronted by my sadness and my fear, I will look for comfort and balance where I always have: in the beauty of seagull voices, in the shelter of forests, in the power of storms, in the companionship of otters, in the affirmation of moonlight, in the confidence of wrens, in the dignity of mountains, in the tenderness of deer, in the perseverance of tides, in the elusiveness of seals, in the ephemerality of leaves, in the stoicism of bears, in the self-containment of islands, in the willingness of salmon, in the strength of roots, in the jubilation of streams, in the wisdom of ravens, in the patience of stones, in the assurance of dawn.

With profound thanks for all these things, and for the blessed company of humankind, I will offer my hands and my heart in whatever small way they might be of use - and in this, too, I will find hope.

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