Dear Editor,
Did you know the Red Desert is the largest unfenced landscape in the lower 48 states? It certainly deserves some protection and attention for the wilderness characteristics that flourish here. I recently was invited by the Wyoming Wilderness Association to take a flight on a small aircraft over the Red Desert. The aerial perspective showed me the hundreds of miles of openness that embody the true spirit of Wyoming. The experience of flying over places such as Cedar Mountain, Honeycomb Buttes, Little Mountain, and parts of the Northern Red Desert was truly breathtaking and inspiring.
The pristine ecosystems in the Red Desert are some of the most endangered in the world. Take for instance the sand dunes, the sagebrush sea, and distinctive desert pillars that provide refuge to migrating ungulates, wild horses and desert birds like the sage grouse. These lands provide the connective tissue to other ecosystems in the region and are the lifeblood for biotic and abiotic systems, much of which we have yet to fully understand.
I feel lucky to have the opportunity to explore much of the Red Desert in complete solitude and simply experience the awe of these untouched expanses that I call home. I cherish moments when I can hear only the sounds of nature and can gaze upon vistas where nothing impedes my viewshed. These places clearly have value beyond resource extraction and must be protected for future generations.
Therefore, I encourage you to get out and explore Wyoming’s wilderness areas and help influence the management decisions taking place. I am forever indebted to those who had the foresight to preserve these wild open spaces and to those who are willing to continue ensuring slices of this planet remain wild.
Let’s all work to keep Wyoming Wild!
Ailene Elkin
Green River
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