| Dear Sage Editor, | June 18, 1990 |
I want to personally thank the Desert Peak Section for their support during the Backroad Explorers suspension. Special thanks are due Council members Bob Marshall and Karen Leonard for their perseverance in learning the facts of the matter and pushing for a resolution based on the facts, and not the hearsay that seemed so predominant at the time. Many thanks are also due to the whole Council, chaired by Robin Ives, for handling the manner in a fair and very professional manner. Thanks also to the DPS for publishing our trip list and making it more generally available.
I am more than a little frustrated that many people still accuse the Backroad Explorers of being anti desert protection. This is just not true. The Backroad Explorers have worked very hard to provide sound positive input for the Desert Protection Act. When someone works to make something better is that being unsupportive?
What the Backroad Explorers do oppose is misrepresentation of the facts and/or issues. The Sierra Club must maintain its credibility so it can remain the effective organization that it has been in the past.
Sincerely,
Robert Jaussaud
Backroad Explorers Chairman
CONSERVATION
It was pleasantly surprising and quite pleasing to see that the DPS Management Committee, last year, took an active and positive stand for conservation. The thank you's go to Dale van Dalsem and Jim Kilberg under whose leadership this was accomplished.
This year I hope to continue DPS participation in conservation, by working with the Club on common issues. Emphasis, of course, will be placed on the DESERT. Next will be the Sierras and local mountain areas, and finally the "global" issues where the members have expressed strong feelings.
The participation envisioned is: 1) Work parties with BLM 2) letter writing at DPS meetings or home 3) attendance at rallies or meetings. Most of us are supportive of conservation, and we generally agree that the environment needs some protection. But being supportive and agreeing is not enough, taking more active part to further these goals is required.
Therefore, I am asking you to become involved in you own favorite conservation project, and also to help me and the Club when asked to do so.
Thank you! |
 Maris Valkass |