“Time to wake up! We’re leaving in a few minutes,” exclaimed one my counselors as he was unzipping my tent. Almost immediately I emerge from my morning trance, deflate my sleeping pad, and walk outside to take in the magnificence of the morning coastline. Right outside my tent I witness a bald eagle graze the surface of the Pacific Ocean, looking for its morning meal. As I move further down the shore, I see a pod of gray whales emerge from the water. Moments later I return to the campsite, pack my backpack, and prepare to hike the rocky shore.
Backpacking the Ozette Coast was one of my many memorable encounters with nature during my month long trip to the Pacific Northwest this past summer. Every day brought something new and invigorating, from hiking Mount Rainier to whitewater rafting down the Snake River. Each experience brought new memories, a greater connection with nature, and a newfound sense of accomplishment; I longed for it to stay. However, as I discovered, these natural monuments won’t last long if humanity continues its current habits.
Already, the temperature of Mount Rainier has increased by 1.5ºF in the last 25 years, which has led to increased flooding, poorer air quality, and redistribution of the mountain’s plant species. In 50 years, the
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While in school, I hope to acquire research experience as an undergraduate, preparing me for both graduate school and my career. One possible research project I have in mind is finding a way to turn underutilized land into arable farmland. The consequences of solving this quandary would be profound. Not only would the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere decrease due to photosynthesis, but less people would go hungry. Although this may not get resolved until after my first four years of college, I hope to lay the groundwork that could lead to a future
When I crossed by the snow covered sign that read “Welcome to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness National Park” and looked at what surrounded me, I was beside myself. I didn’t know that trees could ever be so beautiful. The towering trees were the perfect shade of dark emerald green, and the way the snow piled on them looked like painting. I thought I was living a fairytale. It was the most beautiful sight I have ever laid eyes on.
As a child, I unraveled nature’s beauty and existence. Each new experience brought me feelings of excitement and joy, sparkling my imagination and igniting my curiosity. It all seemed so large back then. Oceans appeared endless as they reached towards the horizon. Treetops seemed to make friends with the puffy-looking clouds as they soared to the sky. Over the years however, as I have grown older and life has become more complex, I am beginning to think less and less about the natural world around me. I glimpse sunset stuck in rush-hour traffic trying to return school after debate practices and only listen to the pitter-patter of the rain when there’s a storm outside. Forests and oceans seemed less appealing as they became intertwined with the urban development. In a way, I was becoming more and more distanced from the so-called nature. So, with an overwhelming desire for adventure and to escape the masses, my family and I drove to Big Bend National Park in Southwest Texas last summer.
In Thomas Cole’s Essay on American Scenery, the reader is able to appreciate Cole’s predilection and love for the American scenery. It is his belief this scenery is superior to the European scenery, since the latter’s “primitive features of scenery have long since been destroyed or modified … to accommodate the tastes and necessities of a dense population.” However, Cole presents his audience with a gloomy prophecy about America’s future, which he believes will be the same as Europe’s. Still, while acknowledging that industrialization could eventually take over many natural regions, Cole is hopeful that nature will remain victorious, since it will still be predominant. Because of this, he advises the American people to take advantage of
Imagine a single event that can kill 57 people and 7000 deer and elk. Snap trees like a toothpick, and turn the sky grey for 15 days. Now, stop imagining, Mount St. Helens, in the Cascade Range of southwestern Washington State, erupted. On May 18th,1980. According to (Campbell 371), “At least $1 billion in economic damage was reported”. The eruption of Mount St. Helens took many lives, and devastated America. Mount St. Helens destroyed more than 230 square miles of ancient forest.
On this day in 1863, Union troops capture Lookout Mountain southwest of Chattanooga, Tennessee,as they begin to break the Confederate siege of the city. In the “battle above the clouds,” the Yankees scaled the slopes of the mountain on the periphery of the Chattanooga lines.
Generally when one thinks of the American west their mind jumps to an image of untouched, unspoiled land, such as the land that is represented by America’s national parks. These tourist destinations in the West showcase the history of our nation’s land in a way that many people assume is and has always been the reality, but although the natural beauty of these lands is represented perhaps the beauty of the cultures that used to inhabit them is not.
The first recorded person in history to ascend Mt Druitt, an area in the relegated public squalor of Western Sydney, has also successfully reached the summit.
It is undeniable that climate change is drastically changing our current landscapes throughout the world. There are many individuals who consider climate change to be a natural and organic progression, but many studies indicate that due to excess greenhouse gas emissions, humans are accelerating global warming at an alarming rate. It’s convenient to continuously dismiss the studies and evidence that suggest climate change is real and it could have serious consequences, but when these drastic changes are taking place in our own backyard, it becomes a harsh reality. There is longstanding research, which indicates that the Colorado River has been in a drought since the early 2000’s and researchers allege that due to rising temperatures, the
Voted the second most beautiful vista in America, Mount Washington is a well-known overlook of downtown Pittsburgh. Mount Washington, now a beautiful mountain with a tree covered Cliffside, was not always known for its sights. Many are unaware of the dirty environment that it used to be. Once known as Coal Hill, Mount Washington was the location of many coal mines. Back in the late 1800’s, this mountain was the source that fueled and built Pittsburgh. From the ravaging coal minds to the breathtaking Inclines, there is a lot of history that is hidden under the beautiful area which we now know as Mount Washington.
The pink blooms on tall stakes, also known as Fireweed, often blanket the land in this region and when the flowers turn to cotton, it is a sign that winter is around the corner. As the 90 degree heat of summer comes to an end, the 70 degrees below zero of winter highlight the beauty of the northern lights, tundra, forest and mountains. Look up and Denali Mountain rises 20,310 feet above sea level as the highest peak in North America. This summit is company to 6 million acres of the Denali National Park and Grizzly Bears. This particular bear is abundant in the Talkeetna Mountains and the metal gold is present in the creeks and valleys.
Have you ever been to Washington or Mt. Rainier? Mt. Rainier is a national park in Washington, where about 1-2 million people visit each year. Mt. Rainier is a Tall mountain that reaches up to 14,410 feet above sea level. It is one of the tallest places in all of Washington!
After more then 40,000 years of activity, one would expect that people would no longer live in the surrounding shadow of Mt. St. Helens. But regardless, many towns and cities sit inside of a zone that would face destruction if a large eruption took place. In 1980 Mt. St. Helens erupted and caused the loss of many lives and the destruction of thousands of miles of land and property. Following the eruption, the volcano has stayed extremely active. In 2004 it erupted again, building a new lava dome and sending ash and steam into the atmosphere. Since then, seismologists and volcanologists have recently discovered pockets of magma rising and that another eruption may occur soon. Even though the people of Washington know that an eruption could cause widespread devastation they continue with their lives, doing little to prepare for the potential disaster.
To me, Mount Wachusett Community College represents the ability for me to take on more challenging educational goals. College education is a privilege for me to have an opportunity to take advantage of means the future to me. Some may see it as the credits earned towards their 4-year college, but for me it means so much more than credits. It has provided me for an immense resource for learning and experimenting with topics I have an interest on. The professors are there to inspire me, helping me find my passion and myself. People will go out of their way to show you something and not in just a textbook, but in a real way. College has been introductions into how I can shape my future not just feel that my future solely belongs to my destiny. It is the first time in my life where I can have it my way and know that the work I have put in will be rewarding in fulfilling my future to come.
Today is the day! I get to visit the Rocky Mountains. I have never seen the Rocky Mountains. Also, I am going on their 100th anniversary. The Rocky Mountains have been there for over 300 million years. In 2015, Rocky Mountain National Park was the third most visited national park with over 4.1 million visitors. I have to get there early because it will be packed. The temperature can drop up to 20 degrees on top of the mountains, so I better bring a jacket.
My mother’s law partner, Jennifer, owns a house passed down by her father that he built just north of Trinidad, California. This oceanfront home is a decidedly significant aspect of my life because of its location in the heart of the pacific northwestern wilderness. From my plethoric amount of sojourns to Trinidad and even one short-term residence at this house, I have developed a deep connection with nature and become enamored with everything Humboldt County offers, from golfing in the redwoods to hiking at Patrick’s Point State Park. Jennifer’s house introduced me to nature and forged my belief of the necessity to save it.