Yellowstone is a special place; perhaps the first place we found a third life form, the archaea – neither plant, nor animal. This area also has a baseball field near Mammoth Campgrounds.

Fenway Park is a special place. Like Yellowstone, it too may have archaea under our earth’s mantle. Nature is all around us. Maybe because we, ourselves, live in such a small realm of what is, we may limit what areas we deem worthy of being set apart.

Denying access to sled dogs in Acadia or burning out leaseholders on land near Mount Katahin does little to enhance just how special such areas are.

Deferring responsible use and management of the natural resource on such areas does little to educate the public that we are a part of nature. Viewing well-managed forests from recreation trails could be integrated into our culture, as well as not treating the animals as zoo pets with poor fencing.

The commerce of any special area should be tax neutral and not disrupt the economy of a region for the future. Maybe our species will reach a level of self-awareness to realize all our air, water, land and life forms are worthy of being called special. We already live in a park.

Tim Bashan

China