Celebrate our wilderness

Terri Robertson, Las Vegas

Saturday, Sept. 22, 2012 | 2 a.m.

September is Wilderness Month. What in the world do we need land set aside as wilderness for?

I remember when most of the mountain ranges and desert washes in Southern Nevada were wilderness in stature only because human beings had not decided to build upon their yet-undisturbed faces.

Growing up, my family would be the only upright walkers in Red Rock Canyon, on Mount Potosi, in the McCulloughs, and the Sheep Mountains. Mount Charleston, even as far back as 1950, had way too many uprights to cast a shadow on my father’s need for wilderness. We seldom went there. Instead, we traveled dirt roads that took us to where we would hear only the sounds of nature.

People who walk Red Rock today do not have the same experience my family used to have there. Walking in large groups is a great opportunity to get out and mingle and see beautiful landscapes and is important to so many. Thank goodness our community worked all those years ago to set this land aside for the use of everyone.

I am so thankful that in planning for our Nevada land, that wilderness designation was part of the planning process. Wilderness is in many places throughout our valley. Work is still in place to create more of these wonderful places for people like me.

Happy birthday, wilderness! It is so nice to know that long after I am gone, you will continue to be there in all your glory.