Why the Badlands deserves protection as wilderness

Oct 13, 2007 The Bulletin By the Rev. Steven Koski Bulletin guest columnist

I am a relatively new resident of Central Oregon, having lived in Bend for nearly two years. Like many, I continue to discover the wonders and beauty of this region. One of my favorite hiking spots is the Badlands east of Bend. It is a wonderful oasis of wildlife habitat, dry canyons, ancient juniper trees and geological wonders.

Recently, Bend's Oregon Natural Desert Association released a report prepared by Headwaters Economics out of Bozeman, Mont., highlighting how protecting the Badlands would significantly benefit the communities and  economy of Central Oregon, including Deschutes, Crook and Jefferson counties. (See the full report at (www.onda.org.) I was pleased to have the opportunity to serve on a steering committee for the report.

This Headwaters report provides compelling evidence that protecting the Badlands as wilderness makes economic sense, emphasizing that Central Oregon's migration patterns and resulting economic growth are largely quality-of-life based. The raw beauty and unique characteristics of the Badlands are part of a larger suite of natural amenities that help make Central Oregon such an appealing place for so many newcomers and longtime residents alike.

I moved here from Chicago where I could visit the Sears Tower, one of the tallest buildings in the world, and be amazed and entertained for an afternoon. Yet, the time spent has no lasting value for my life. But when I spend an afternoon hiking the canyons of Central Oregon, enjoying the wildlife and exploring the geological wonders of the Badlands wilderness area with my wife ad two sons, I know somehow that it has been good for our souls.

One of my favorite poets, Wendell Berry, expresses the awe-inspiring nature of the Badlands best. He calls the ground we walk upon "the Holy Earth," where he says you can see and meet God in creation. This has certainly been my experience in the Badlands. It may appear typical on the one hand, yet it is unlike any other place I have ever been. The serenity and solitude it offers is priceless. Its unique beauty fills me with a sense of awe and reverence.

William Sloane Coffin said the modern world, in the pursuit of progress, has unfortunately divorced creation from Creator. As modern civilization has supposedly advanced and progressed, a sense of wonder and awe, reverence and respect for creation has declined. And, unfortunately, our souls and the soul of the community we live in are the poorer for it. The quiet, natural sanctuary of the Badlands reminds me of the words of poet Gerard Manley Hopkins, "The world is charged with the grandeur of God." It is essential that unique treasures like the Badlands are set aside as a perpetual source of enrichment for the . enjoyment of future generations.

The Badlands economic report concluded it makes economic sense to protect the Badlands as wilderness. I am sure it does. But my own view comes from my faith perspective that passionately believes our holiest vocation as human beings is to be good stewards of the earth.

The earth is not a commodity to be consumed at the whim of our pleasure. 'The earth is a sacred community to which we all belong. The earth is a sacred community we have been entrusted to protect and care for, not only for ourselves but also for our children's children. As the saying goes, we do not inherit the earth from the past, we are borrowing it from our children.

I saw a sign in a nursery that said the best time to plant a tree was 25 years ago. The second best time is today. Today certainly is the best time to protect, preserve and appreciate the riches we are blessed to enjoy right in our own backyards! I urge you to join me in calling on our elected leaders locally and in Congress to act today and give our children the everlasting gift of Badlands wilderness.

The Rev. Steven Koski lives in Bend.

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