Saturday, June 4, 2005

Happy Birthday, Gaylord! Wisconsin's former governor and U.S. Senator, Gaylord Nelson, turns 89 today.  Let's wish him a happy birthday! For a bio of Nelson, click here.  Since leaving the Senate in 1981, he has been with the Wilderness Society in Washington, D.C., where he has been active in preserving wild lands across the country.  Probably best known as the founder of Earth Day, Nelson has arguably done more to protect wild places and raise awareness of environmental issues than anyone living today.  Our hats are off to a great American and a champion of the wild. I first met Nelson just after he left the Senate, when he came to northern Wisconsin.  I don't recall the official occasion of his visit, but I managed to tag along with him on a field trip to some rugged country along the Brunsweiler or Marengo river south of Ashland.  My son Jon and his friend Rusty Russo came along with me.  The boys were six or seven at the time.  When the group stopped along the trail to listen to Nelson speak, I encouraged Jon and Rusty to climb up a rocky hill behind Nelson so I could get them in the same photo.  They did, and I shot several photos, but the boys look rather bored as Gaylord waxed eloquent about saving this or that wild thing or place.  I can't find those slides right now, but as I recall, the boys were more intent on sharing a snack than on listening to what Gaylord had to say! Many years later, I had the opportunity to interview Nelson for Outdoor Wisconsin, while he was in Milwaukee to speak at the annual banquet of the Friends of Milwaukee's Rivers.  He talked about a sustainable economy and overpopulation, among other things.  He also said he had great hope for the next generation of environmentalists, and said he has met grade-schoolers with a better grasp of what the world needs than many politicians have. Keep on giving it to 'em, Gaylord.  Somebody has to!  Best wishes for many more birthdays to come. Later... 9:13:04 PM    comment []