Monday, February 26, 2018

Defining the Character of Landscape
How do we define landscape?  Looking up the meaning of landscape the dictionary provides:  a landscape is the visible features of an area of land, its landforms and how they integrate with natural or man-made features

The character of landscape helps define the self-image of the people who inhabit it and a sense of place that differentiates one region from other regions.  It is the dynamic backdrop to people’s lives. 

The character of landscape is a history book.  Providing knowledge and lessons of the past and defining the future.  How will the future of our children's landscape be defined by our actions and activities on the landscape today? 

be strong, be safe, Carlan

Tuesday, February 20, 2018

Meet Zena
I'd like to introduce Zena, the spirit of a buffalo killed 138 years ago during the great massacre.  She showed up this past August originally as a painting made by my wife Nancy. Rather quickly Zena became more than a mere painting.  She shared a short story about a very big subject with Nancy.

Zena isn't politically correct; she tells it like it is, which at first may take a bit getting used to. However, you soon find her truth and directness immensely refreshing.  She calls it Bison Wisdom.  It's ancient, practical and it worked flawlessly for thousands of years when buffalo roamed North America by the millions.  

After their conversations Nancy made a promise to Zena to spread Bison Wisdom to women (and men).  In the buffalo world Zena explained to Nancy, "females lead and males protect. That's because we understand the connection with the Earth Mother since we are also the nurturers and givers of life." 

Nancy collected all those powerful thoughts from Zena.  She put them together in a small book about a very big subject.  There's much to be learned from a species that understands how to work together for the good of the whole.  Bison Wisdom.  What can it teach us all?  You just have to read this book to see all the wisdom it contains and how Zena shares it.  It is a book you will want to share with family and friends.

Zena and Nancy are sharing Real Women Have Horns - Discovering You inner Buffalo as support for the mission and goals of Question of Power and the Greater Chaco Landscape Project.  They will send you a signed copy of the book with your  501c3 donation to the project.  Click here to support the project and receive your book.

be strong, be safe, Carlan

Sunday, February 18, 2018

Unheard Voices of Our Children

Emma Gonzalez, a senior at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, addressed a rally on Saturday in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, days after a horrific shooting at her school where 17 individuals were killed.  These are the unheard voices of our children in America today.  These are their fears and concerns caused by a government who does not listen.  Take a moment to see and hear a very brave young woman who is creating a voice for our unheard children across the country.  Click here to see and hear Emma.

Thank you Emma for standing brave and tall.

be strong, be safe, Carlan

Thursday, February 15, 2018

 Our Children's Safety

In regards to the South Florida high school shooting yesterday I can't help but wonder why we spend so much money on cribs, strollers, car seats, bicycle helmets, etc. for our children's safety, but fail to protect them from bullets.  Where is the conscience of a government that approves the sale of assault weapons in staggering numbers without giving any thought to whose hands they end up in.  We should be ashamed of ourselves that a child can not go to school without fear of being killed.  We should be ashamed of ourselves that guns are more valuable to this country's economy than a single child's life is.

be strong, be safe, Carlan

 

Monday, February 12, 2018

Chacoan Outliers - Erasing History
The U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM), which governs land use throughout much of the Greater Chaco Landscape, has estimated that a combination of horizontal drilling with hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, enables profitable extraction of oil and gas from tight shale deposits beneath Chaco Canyon and it's environs. The BLM’s Farmington office estimates about 40 percent of the nearly 10,000 additional wells forecast for the basin will be drilled near Chaco Canyon.
The BLM acknowledges that despite the precautions energy companies are obligated to take, the likelihood of damage to ancient sites will increase with more roads, traffic, workers, construction — and later, new service roads can make the countryside around Chaco more accessible to vandals and looters. All that, in the words of an agency analysis, will probably cause “a general downward trend of site integrity and scientific potential.” The agency, nonetheless, has rejected requests to postpone a March 2018 lease auction.

With over 40,000 wells in the Greater Chaco Landscape many Chacoan outliers are currently adjacent to well operations.  Click to see and hear The Sound of Sacred Sites.

Chaco left no written language. The history is written in the landscape,” said Acoma Pueblo archaeologist Theresa Pasqual. “When we disturb the landscape, we erase the pages of the history book.”

be strong, be safe, Carlan