The term “inspiration” derives from the Latin word spirare which means to breathe. The more remarkable term Inspirare literally means “to breathe into”, which if you think about it is a pretty intimate, life-giving act. Last night’s awards were an example of ‘communal inspiration’. The evening twinkled with hard working stewards who had made a difference and glowed with a healing respect for wild places and wild things.
Shelton Johnson’s speech about growing up in Detroit and finding himself a park ranger in Yosemite was a joy to witness. He spoke elegantly about the way African Americans are unaccustomed to visiting the National Parks and don’t tend to recognize this wonder as part of their cultural heritage. He talked about what it was like to see inner-city kids experience the park for the first time, and to see its ‘wonders mirrored in their eyes’. He talked about the recent Oprah Winfrey visit to the park and how she had come based on a letter he wrote years ago. He felt her camping for two nights represented a watershed opportunity to show African Americans that the parks belonged to them. He talked about the delight he felt in discovering this photo and realizing that, before there were even Park Rangers, the ‘Buffalo Soldiers” were assigned to protect and steward Yosemite.
Shelton’s novel, Gloryland, is a fictional account of one of these soldiers and he fully admits he dreams of it becoming a film. He thinks the best way to reach out and draw people into the story is through the medium of film and he’s doing his best to inspire some greats: he was invited to Sundance this year. I have every faith that his dream will be realized: he is a cheerfully unstoppable force.
Other wonders of the night included the awesome and hard-working Jay Holcomb from IBRRC who spoke with glorious tenacity about the work he has been doing to help oiled birds for 29 years. He was personally working on the gulf oil spill for 4 months, and it was great to see his Herculean efforts treated with respect and recognition. Lindsay Wildlife and Nature Bridge were admirable stewards of the wild world as well, and Mike’s presentation was appreciatively received.
There even special applause when I pointed out the beavers in his DVD were OURS.
There was, of course, one thing that couldn’t be left undone, and I made sure I pressed a copy of Mike’s DVD into Shelton’s hands when he passed by. “Take this back and share with your colleagues.” I said encouragingly, thinking of the beavers building near the golf course at the Ahwahnee. “Leave it in the coffee room and pass it on!”
Inspirare Castorum!
