“ The nation behaves well if it treats the natural resources as assets which it must turn over to the next generation increased, and not impaired, in value. “ – Theodore Roosevelt, 1910
Recently, my family and I hiked the spectacular Ozette Triangle in Olympic National Park. We were awed by its beauty, and the abundance and diversity of its wildlife. At Sand Point alone, we saw multiple Bald Eagles, Great Blue Herons, Black Oystercatchers, Harlequin Ducks,shorebirds, gulls, sea otters, seals, sea lions, deer and raccoons; not to mention the uncountable number of tide pool organisms.
Our hike included three of the 73 miles that you can walk along pristine Pacific coastline. We were grateful for this experience, and sang the praises of those who made it possible – most notably, the Roosevelts.
Theodore Roosevelt (TR) established Mt. Olympus National Monument in 1909, primarily to protect elk habitat. His fifth cousin, Franklin Delanor Roosevelt (FDR), elevated the area to National Park status in 1938. The U.S. Congress finished the job by adding the coastal strip of Olympic National Park to the national system of Wilderness areas in 1988.
The vision and leadership of the Roosevelts left us an incredible legacy of unspoiled temperate rainforests, beaches, sea stacks, tide pools and wildlife. Many thanks TR and FDR!
