Sunday, April 21, 2013

175th Birth Anniversary of John Muir

John Muir
"Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul alike."  ~ John Muir writing in The Yosemite (1912)

As the foremost American naturalist, John Muir helped preserve our natural wilderness enabling the growth of the U.S. parks system. In particular, Yosemite Valley and other California wilderness areas have remained in relatively pristine condition due to his activism. He also founded the Sierra Club, which has labored hard to protect American wilderness. This important figure is responsible for raising awareness of the need to protect and appreciate the environment for its myriad aesthetic and essential qualities. The Sierra Club website contains a wealth of information on Muir and his tireless work, including his writings. He led by example and his life and works are well worth examining since our own world is sorely in need of his prescription.

Left:  John Muir, American conservationist, by Francis M. Fritz 1907 - public domain

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