I own property right next door to the proposed Whychus-Deschutes Wilderness and I am doing everything I can to push for the permanent protection of this beautiful area. Wilderness designation for this area is important to me, not just because it is beautiful, but also for all of the positive things that this wilderness area could do for our community.

I have explored every corner of the Deschutes River canyon near my property with my dogs and my fishing pole. I have seen wildlife that I never knew existed in this area. I have seen ancient Indian rock art that makes me wonder what this place was like when humans first visited. Every time I go down into the canyon, I am in awe of the natural beauty of this place, and it strengthens my faith in God.

Unfortunately, I have also seen many people abusing this area by dumping trash, leaving bonfires burning and rolling boulders off of cliffs. I have found butchered carcasses of deer and elk, dumped by poachers who have no respect for the hunting regulations that the rest of us abide by.

Seeing people treating the land so disrespectfully strengthens my belief that as a steward of God’s creation, I have a responsibility to help protect Whychus-Deschutes.

When I first heard about the wilderness proposal, I’ll admit that I had my doubts. I already knew that this area is beautiful and that it should be protected, but I did not know very much about how wilderness is managed.

Since then, I have researched this issue and learned that the Whychus-Deschutes Wilderness area has been proposed as wilderness for far longer than I have lived next door. While I am not a huge fan of increasing government restrictions, I have observed the management of this area and realized that many of the rules that wilderness designation would bring about are already in place. Most of the trails are already closed to motorized vehicles, and the activities that are popular in the Whychus-Deschutes area today, such as hunting, fishing and hiking, would be allowed to continue if the area is designated as wilderness.

I see two main differences between the current status of these two canyons now, and how they would be managed as the Whychus-Deschutes Wilderness. The first is permanence.

Although the area is currently protected by certain rules and regulations, none of this protection is permanent. We have no guarantee that future generations will be able to hike down into the canyon and enjoy the solitude and freedom that we currently enjoy. If Congress designates the Whychus-Deschutes Wilderness, this area will become part of the natural heritage that is passed on to future Americans for hiking, hunting, fishing, camping, education and exploration.

The second change that can come with a wilderness designation is a new level of respect for these two canyons. By calling this area what it is — wilderness — we convey to visitors both present and future that this land is the best that our nation has to offer.

A friend who lives next door to the newly designated Oregon Badlands Wilderness tells me that the bottom line is that wilderness simply attracts people who are more respectful of the resources.

By giving this area a name that conveys to visitors the significance of the Whychus-Deschutes River canyons in our community, we can begin to educate people who come to the area about what it means to be a visitor to wilderness and the importance of treating the land with respect.

Finally, it is imperative that we look at the big picture and not be shortsighted in our decisions about the management of our public lands.

In a time when we need to do as much as we can to enhance the area and help attract new businesses and workers to our region, a Whychus-Deschutes Wilderness is one thing that can add to our competitive economic advantage.

It makes me proud to be involved in an effort to protect an area that is special to so many people.

I encourage everyone to educate themselves about wilderness and find out more about what you can do to help designate this unique wilderness getaway in our backyards.