Well said.

In a message dated 9/26/02 2:26:46 PM, twograysquirrels@aol.com writes:

>I am totally annoyed with this latest email. When I think about all the
>the trash I see and have picked up while letterboxing on the C&O and when
>I think about all the spent shells and trash I have seen while letterboxing
>in WMA's I get really angered. Drilling in Alaska is OK, mountain biking
>and tearing up trails is OK, Jet skis and snowmobiles killing, maiming
>and poluting is OK, logging in National Forest is OK but Letterboxing is
>not. This world is getting just too crazy.
>
>I found this sentence particularly interesting from the NPS
>"I am sure that the activity is interesting and enjoyable for the
participants
>but leaving containers in odd locations within national parks can cause
>alarm in these days and times." a gladware box? I scared!
>Like someone is going to bomb the park. I say keep Bush out and there will
>be no problem for security. I think the real issue is one of CONTROL. They
>want to control your every step in the public parks in the name of protecting
>the wildlife while the govenment is allowing polution of our air and water
>which effects wildlife far more than a small plactic box under a rock could
>possibly do. The government needs to be in CONTROL of all aspects of our
>lives. NOT!
>
>I have asked the webmasters to pull my clues that might lead one into a
>National Park. I am sure I missed one or two since I practically live
>in a National Park. Most all parks in the DC area are National. They can
>pick up the boxes themselves or anyone who finds one soon can just relocate
>it for me and write up new clues. Last year someone pulled one from Antitem
>for me and rewrote very nice clues. The race is on!
>
>Squirrel
>

I certainly can empathize with your concern for our National Parks.
I, too, have seen alot of trash and environmental damage throughout
our various parks in this region during my last 4 months of
letterboxing. It is all too disheartening. I do not think that
this damage was caused by letterboxers or letterboxes, but I do see
where additional damage can be caused when the clues aren't terribly
specific when nearing the 'hiding' spot. I think most letterboxers
incorporate the tenets of Leaving No Trace (LNT) when they
participate but I'm sure there exist some who are so exhuberant when
searching for a box that they'll leave no stone unturned.

I have learned quite a bit in my few shorts months of letterboxing--
sparing extra damage to the environment is all rooted in finding THE
PERFECT LOCATION FOR HIDING YOUR LETTERBOX. Some of my boxes aren't
in the greatest locations but as I've gotten more experienced with
the hobby, I've gotten much better at finding unique and 'damage
free' locations for hiding boxes (like in hollow tree stumps or
behind logs, perched between boulders/rocks, hanging from trees,
etc). I am one of the guilty ones who has placed a box in far-off
NPS lands (before I knew about the rule/regulation/desires to not
allow letterboxing on their lands)--but I can guarantee that my box
does not cause any additional traffic in the area and in no way
damages the environment. It might bother the 6' tall dead tree that
it's perched in from above, but the tree's already dead, so I don't
think it cares! ;) A bird could still nest in there, but the area
is prone to hurricane level gale force winds so I don't think the
birds would last very long there, either. Somehow, the tree has...
LOL

One thing in this message that bothered me was the political
reference within the message. Please note that there are many
people from many different political persuasions on this board. I
do not think that this is an issue that is driven by the leaders of
the country--it is an internal issue that apparently is being more
heavily pursued at different and specific NPS locales throughout our
great nation. Many of these parks might have already experienced a
negative event in regards to letterboxing or geocaching. This is
where we have to help educate them in how friendly and educational
our sport is & that it seems to attract the very same people who are
attracted to our National Parks. I'm sure this issue will be
elevated to a national level very quickly if many folks start
contacting their Congressional Representatives. Regardless, it only
makes sense to work with the system and perhaps the individual
parks/locales where you'd like to place a letterbox instead
of 'fighting it' so we can maintain the great reputation that the
LBNA organization currently bears.

Despite our differences, we're all on the same team here! Imagine
what a group of galvanized letterboxers, from ALL political
persuasions and backgrounds, who share a passion for the hobby and
an enthusiasm for nature and exercise, can accomplish in a campaign
to prove to NPS just how environmentally friendly, historically
beneficial and exciting letterboxing can be!!! Just a thought...

Have a great letterboxing day!!!

dvn2r ckr
F85P28X6

'a tree hugging, birkenstock/teva wearing, granola eating, soymilk
drinking, God fearing, peace loving, letterboxing addicted, nursing
mother who happens to be conservative' ;)