Utah Juniper - Dead Horse Point, UtahUtah Juniper – Dead Horse Point, Utah

Conservation is a state of harmony between men and land. – Aldo Leopold

From my own experiences I know that I feel a sense of wonder and harmony when I am immersed in nature. I would love to say that while I am wandering around exploring the natural wonders we have been gifted with that I can forget about the assaults on the land and the creatures that live there but I can’t.

Daily I see how a species is threatened by over-development, habitat destruction or chemicals we have introduced into the environment or how apex predators are hunted down and slaughtered because of superstition or misinformation and how a few thoughtless people can destroy ancient rock formations or desecrate priceless rock art and fossils without caring about their worth to future generations. I can’t forget those assaults even when I am miles away from “modern” civilization because I care very deeply for the land, for the birds, the wildlife and for its future.

There are many people and organizations that are actively working to achieve a state of harmony between man and land and they give me hope but hope alone isn’t enough.

We have to do more. Educate more. Inspire more. Demand more. And yes, fight more to achieve that harmony.

Mia

I photographed this Juniper at Dead Horse State Park in Utah high above the Colorado River. For more information about Dead Horse State Park and the legend of Dead Horse Point please click here. One day I hope to go back to Dead Horse Point and photograph this Utah Juniper again with fluffy clouds in the background.