Posted by Jonathan Labaree on November 19, 2002 at 19:24:23 from 207.5.234.19 user JLabaree.
In Reply to: Re: Egg-collecting & AR's influence posted by andy bolger on November 18, 2002 at 20:30:33:
It seems that there are two aspects of AR’s work that conservationists might draw upon: 1) his direct vilification of evil-doers (Hullabaloos, Jemmerling), and 2) the general sense of place he creates. The quotation you cite from the advocates of the national park makes me think more of the latter – they are invoking a quieter, more idealistic time, as depicted in AR’s well loved books. It’s a message the resonates with many people: “there are still places where you can go to experience what your grandparents did.” For that purpose, AR’s worked didn’t need a conservation message originally, just a good contemporary depiction of a place that, in time, sounds ideal. That he did have a strong conservation message in his writings is all the more to his credit. How wonderful to think that his campaign against egg-collecting might have had a direct positive impact on populations.