Murie Legacy 2017-18 Newsletter
www.tetonscience.org
| 1 Murie Ranch Road, Moose, WY 83012
| 307.732.7765
An Update from the Murie Ranch The 2017 summer season at the Murie Ranch kicked off with a highly successful, month-long college program. 19 graduate and undergraduate students from University of Wyoming Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources spent 26 days living and learning on the Ranch, taking inspiration from this place as they sought solutions to environmental issues in the Jackson Hole community. “My favorite part of this is feeling like we are doing something meaningful (for the community),” said a University of Wyoming student of her experience. In so many ways, this type of immersive, action-based learning program reflected the true spirit of the Muries - the understanding that one curious and enthusiastic individual can make a difference in the world. In addition to this first residential program of the season, the Murie team hosted 10 other residential programs at the Ranch, including 2 week-long Road Scholar Hiking and Conservation Programs and an Eclipse program interwoven with themes of nature and
public lands. Collectively, these residential learning programs served over 120 individuals who spent multiple nights immersed in, and embodying the tenor of this place. Docent-led tours and public visitation reached over 3,600 individuals from all across the country this year. Murie Ranch visitors left with knowledge of United States conservation history and experienced the impact of the Murie legacy. This season, the Murie Team has been focused more than ever on the power of this place to inspire action through voice. Many youth groups joined the conversation this summer, sharing personal conservation and leadership stories on Mardy’s Front Porch. They also discussed how to translate motivation into action. This idea was examined in late September when Colorado State University’s Warner College of Natural Resources convened at the Ranch for the final day of their Tourism and Protected Areas Seminar.
The Majesty of Nature’s Nod The group was comprised of 36 conservation professionals visiting from all around the world - including Africa, eastern Europe and South America - to engage in deep conversation around how to best protect public lands, improve accessibility and build support within local communities. This type of collaboration exemplifies a key lesson of the Muries, that in stewarding nature, we also serve a greater humanity. Because of your generosity, we have grown programming at the Murie Ranch to inspire more people to follow in the footsteps of the Muries. This newsletter includes some of those inspiring stories from the last year. Thank you for your continued support of the Murie Ranch and educational programming that continues the rich legacy of Olaus, Mardy, Adolph and Louise.
- Christen Girard, Faculty in residence at the Murie Ranch
A poem by Docent Daniel S. McIlhenny Written 9.15.2017
We stood outside transfixed by sunset The western setting Sun glowing goodbye Another day winding down in radiant overtones Stunning, breath-taking, orange peachiness lighting Earth All the random metal roofed cabins fairly matching heavens tones Such a sight to witness in these meadows, these woods Unforgettable without question - pure imagery on display The majesty of nature’s nod ~ blushes Murie Ranch
As witnessed by April Landale, Valerie Crawford and Docent Dan Inside Grand Teton National Park on 9-13-2017
Justice William O. Douglas and the Muries — Wilderness Warriors By Judge M. Margaret McKeown What is the unlikely connection between the Wyoming Muries — wildlife conservationists — and William O. Douglas, a controversial Supreme Court Justice and outdoor enthusiast? The Murie Center Archives showcases their friendship and collaboration over three decades. They were all westerners at heart, connected to the land, and vitally committed to conservation. Olaus — then Director of the Wilderness Society — first met Douglas on the historic 1954 hike on the C & O Canal in Washington, DC, which Douglas organized to protest plans to pave over the canal with a highway. Olaus became one of the “Immortal Nine”
who finished the 189 mile hike. The highway was never built and the canal became a National Historical Park — the “refuge” and “sanctuary” that Douglas envisioned. Recognizing that Douglas was a prominent national figure in the environmental world, the Muries invited Douglas and his wife to join them on the 1956 Sheenjek Expedition to the Brooks Range in Alaska, in the hopes that he could bolster their efforts to save the Arctic. Olaus and a team of scientists, including Bob Krear, George Schaller, and Briana Kessell, meticulously documented the fragile Pictured: Judge Mary Margaret McKeown shares stories of the Muries and Justice William O. Douglas during a Front Porch Conversation in September.
This summer, the Murie Ranch hosted five Front Porch Conversations, bringing together local leaders, young conservationists and friends of the Muries to discuss topics related to public lands. Your gift supports future Front Porch Conversations at the Murie Ranch.
environment. Douglas featured the trip in his book My Wilderness and Mardy chronicled the expedition in her memoir Two in the Far North. Olaus and Mardy tirelessly lobbied for protected status, with Mardy carrying on in overdrive after Olaus’ death. In 1980 Congress passed the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act, putting millions of acres under federal protection. In 1959 they were all back on the trail as part of a protest hike to save one of the last unspoiled stretches of beach in the Olympic National Park. The headlines read, “Justice Douglas Dissents on the Road.” The road never came to be.
Judge McKeown sits on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and is a member of the TSS Murie Center Advisory Committee. Over the years Justice Douglas and the Muries carried on extensive correspondence and conversations on topics ranging from sagebrush to wilderness preservation to international politics. They never missed an opportunity to lobby, persuade, and publicize the need for sensible lands management. They were conservation pioneers who made a difference. Douglas was an early proponent of preserving the Murie ranch in Moose and turning it into what it has become—a National Historic District and the Murie Center, conservation’s home.
“It was a true honor to get to stay at the Murie Ranch where so many conversations in the name of conservation and environmentalism have taken place with leaders in the field. The peaceful feeling of this special piece of the earth is overwhelmingly noticeable. What a blessing to be able to stay there.� - Jenny Johnson,
Henry Holdsworth Photography Workshop Participant, June 2017, Murie Ranch
An Evening to Remember Murie Spirit of Conservation honors pioneers in the field
Over 200 gathered together on the evening of August 9th for an annual celebration of the Murie Spirit of Conservation Award. Rain and wind broke mid-way through the evening to wash the crowd in a magnificent golden light, displaying the historic ranch in all it’s glory. Award recipient Sally Jewell, Secretary of the Interior under President Obama, and rising leader LaTasha Wauneka-Anderson, graciously accepted their awards and offered reflections of where we are today in the world of conservation. With the same hopefulness and passion of the Muries, Secretary Jewell called upon all of us to take action in the ongoing conservation battle for our lands. Secretary Jewell and LaTasha WaunekaAnderson carry on the legacy sparked by Olaus and Mardy. It was a beautiful evening to both look back on the inspiring work of the Muries and forward to the important work we all must carry on. Thank you to Dirk Kramer for his six years of tireless stewardship at the Murie Ranch. Dirk, we sincerely appreciate everything you’ve done for this special place.
Save the Date! 2017 Cookie Swap at the TSS Kelly Campus | December 3, 2017 | 2-4pm All cookie enthusiasts welcome. 1 Ditch Creek Rd, Kelly Wyoming, 83011
Mardy’s Cry Baby Cookies
For the icing:
1 cup sugar 1 cup Crisco shortening
1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon ground ginger 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 cup powdered sugar 1 tablespoon vanilla Canned milk
Instructions:
1 egg 1 cup molasses 4 cups flour
1 cup hot water 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
Cream together sugar, shortening, salt and spices. Add beaten egg. Add molasses and blend well. Gradually mix the flour. Then add the water and vinegar. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes. Place on cooling rack. While still warm, dab taps of cookies with icing.
Continue the Murie Legacy Your generous gift will support Front Porch Conversations, docent tours, ranch maintenance and educational programming for the next generation of conservation leaders.
Donate online at muriecenter.org
Call 307.732.7765 to make a gift on the phone or mail a check in the enclosed envelope