Back to the land: Tread lightly, Washingtonians

Today, May 5 th, Washington’s state lands open again after being closed to help contain the spread of COVID-19. As someone whose being is very much rooted in the outdoors, this is a big deal. Weeks of itching to go to the mountains, to climb rocks, and simply be secluded in the trees. And now we can. But we must do so diligently and mindfully. After being separated for some time, we know what it’s like to miss the lands, to recognize what it’s like to not have them at our fingertips, or at least not be able to touch them even though they’re right there. The land got a break from us-likely a needed one-to heal. We have a right to enjoy the land, but not without shouldering some of the burden of environmental responsibility. So, as we are chomping at the bit to get back to the state parks, this is the time to remind ourselves about our responsibility to the land.

In a way, we are like a virus to the land, posing a constant threat to degrading their health. What can we do to help the land stay healthy without keeping ourselves physically distant? Imagine the state lands could talk. Here’s what they might say…

Are you ready to have people come back?

Well, yes, mostly. It’s been nice to have some alone time, to have some breathing room. I think the physical distance between us parks and people has been healthy. I hope the time away has made people appreciate us more and realize how good they have it. Distance makes the heart grow stronger and all that, right? As people start coming…