Steve Morgan is a retired landscape architect who spent most of his 35 year career in Arizona and New Mexico. His current career is giving Chautauquas or Living History performances, as Aldo Leopold. He happily calls Kingston, New Mexico his home now, nestled in the Black Range Mountains only 3 miles from the Aldo Leopold Wilderness. His writings are strongly shaped by Aldo Leopold’s love of the wild lands, with respect and compassion for the land – the soils, waters, plants and animals. Steve’s compassion for nature is evident by his strong, driving desire to open people’s eyes to the marvel and joy of experiencing the natural world.
After almost a two year battle to reopen Forest Road 40E west of Kingston to public access, we prevailed. The lock is removed and the entry to Middle Percha Canyon is opened with a permanent easement. This story reflects the joy felt by lovers of the canyon.
Three days ago, the summer grasses were pale and so dry. The alliums had come up thickly on the hills, but a very dry August kept them from blooming in the profusion as they usually do. The land was feeling fragile. Then the clouds opened up.
This past year was occupied with many activities acknowledging the importance of the Gila Wilderness and its centennial. What was revealed was the interweaving of so many related topics all related to thinking about Wilderness. This article covers a new related program from the New Mexico Humanities Council.
This series of events happening in Kingston this coming weekend were meant to be included in the previous posting. Please join the folks in Kingston and the surrounding communities for their Gila Wilderness Centennial festivities.
There are many places in this country we call home, where one can easily slip into being a community member of the land instead of the consumer. It is a refreshing reminder to escape the keep out culture of urban living and rejoice in such a wild place, the Catwalk.
I wanted to follow up my last article with a few examples of having fun and expressing passion and creativity with nature writing. Might as well tell a story of natural inspiration. The idea of the Prose, Poetry and Art Exhibition is give students a voice on wilderness.
This is a call out to students and teachers who live and study in the communities surrounding the Gila and Aldo Leopold Wildernesses. It is an opportunity to speak your passion via words or paint. Please join the Celebration.
Most of the things in life which bring a smile to our face are simple. There is nothing better than watching the play of toddler or a young pup to remind us of the simple joys.
This article is a follow up on my last article, Real resolutions for the new year. This whole court case over one couple locking out the public from access to public lands, all hinges on a legal ruling called Prescriptive Easement. What does this mean?
So often we head from one year into the next with vague notions of things we should work on changing. Perhaps this year, pause, and then dive into 2024 with strong convictions for change
What kind of driver are you? Do you text and pass on curves and expect others to change their driving for your whims? Or are you observant of the road and all that happens on and near it? Think about it the next time you venture out on the highway.
