Recently, a committed group of conservationists came together to
passionately discuss Sen. Jon Tester's Forest Jobs and Recreation
Act. The energy and excitement surrounding this legislation is
nothing short of inspiring.
As president of the Associated Students of the University of
Montana, I am filled with great pride because ASUM officially
endorsed Tester's bill last fall and has championed it ever since.
It is bold, it is here, and it's about time. We students should
feel privileged, honored and responsible because this bill
represents the future of conservation and forward-thinking forest
management, and the University of Montana is at the center of the
dialogue.
The University of Montana graduates roughly 2,000 students every
year and many of us want to stay in a Montana that not only
recognizes the importance of preserving our landscapes, but a state
that has leaders committed to sustaining and supporting green
collar jobs.
As future recreation managers, foresters and conservationists we
want to see a rich blend of activities on public land, activities that
include the cultivation of home-grown timber, wilderness
recreation, and responsible motorized travel when and where it is
appropriate. We want these activities balanced on public land so
that our last best places will always be a haven for wildlife and
for people. We believe that our public lands should no longer be
grounds for a tug of war.
For young people and young professionals today, is not simply a
question of development or strict preservation - we are not that
polarized, we are not that simplistic. Ultimately we are all
conservationists. We want to grow and sustain our state's economy
by investing in rural economies and long-term conservation of
public lands because they are not mutually exclusive goals.
This legislation is good for Montana and it is good for Missoula.
It designates new wilderness areas, and expands existing areas. It
will protect four major tributaries of the Clark Fork River: Rock
Creek, Monture Creek, the North Fork of the Blackfoot and the
headwaters of the Clearwater River. These waters replenish the
Missoula aquifer and help ensure clean drinking water that no
engineered system could do quite as beautifully, quite as
elegantly, or as inexpensively. We can take to heart that one of the
economic engines that fuels Missoula, our beloved Clark Fork River,
will be solidly protected by this bill.
The university has long been a center of excellence in forest
management and conservation, and as the rest of the country turns
towards Montana, they are expecting progressive governance of our
natural resources and forward-thinking legislation that breaks
through the political gridlock on public lands.
This bill may have its critics, but it is a product of years of
collaboration on the part of conservation organizations, loggers
and recreation enthusiasts who have come together to create
workable solutions to generate and sustain vibrant rural economies
and maintain healthy forest landscapes.
Students are hungry for change and eager for action. We want a
Montana that gets things done. I represent students who embrace the
wisdom of cooperation and applaud Tester for his leadership.
Matthew Fennell is president of the Associated Students of the
University of Montana.