A Bison Blog—From Yellowstone to Haarlem

A Bison Blog—From Yellowstone to Haarlem

In a recent, three-day period I had wild encounters of a similar sort on two continents. Both encounters tell a story of past and current “re-wilding,” enabled through the vision and dedication of people and organizations that understand the essential role of wildness...
The Food

The Food

Part 4 of our wilderness journey Simphiwe told us to catch some grasshoppers for dinner, but not the colorful ones because they were noxious tasting and poisonous. He explained that he ate the insects since he was a child…very tasty, raw or grilled. Try it, you’ll...
The Camp

The Camp

Part 3 of our wilderness journey I have to admit that I was a little nervous about 5 days of backpacking with no tent. Somehow, a tent give me a (perhaps false) sense of safety in the middle of the wilderness. But, I accepted that my trip to Africa was going to push...
The Wildlife

The Wildlife

Part 2 of our wilderness journey I had just drifted into sleep, breathing the incense smell of iNthomboti smoke from the fire, when I was suddenly awoken by Simphiwe, our “trail officer” — “The elephants are coming…we need to move quickly, now. NOW” As the...
The Trail

The Trail

Part 1 of our wilderness journey The pin head-sized pepper ticks are a REAL nuisance…..you need to pick them out with a pin and tweezers, grooming yourself and your friends on the trail much like the baboons we see daily groom each other. Welcome to your ancestry! You...

A Letter to My Friends in Wilderness

This article by the late George Duffy (retired U.S. Forest Service wilderness ranger) appears in the newest issue of the International Journal of Wilderness, August 2010. Editor’s Note: This “Farewell” essay was written by George Duffy to fellow wilderness stewards...
What does TV teach us about wildlife?

What does TV teach us about wildlife?

An interesting article in the Huffington Post yesterday brought up an interesting conversation – one which I have personally contemplated for a while.  Many times, TV shows, documentaries or movies about nature provide an educational experience for viewers. ...
Can We Stop Trying to Control Nature?

Can We Stop Trying to Control Nature?

This post is an excerpt from an article from the International Journal of Wilderness (April 2000, vol.6 no.1 ) by James M. Glover.  I think you will enjoy his insight into what it means to control nature, and if indeed we can protect land without controlling nature....
Ian Player Perspective – Lake St. Lucia

Ian Player Perspective – Lake St. Lucia

The current crisis on Lake St Lucia, the pearl of iSimangaliso Wetland Park (a UN World Heritage Area) as it is now known, began a long time ago, probably when the great Zulu king Shaka rose to power in the 1800’s and began increasing the cattle herds in the...