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We want to know why the Forever Wild program is important to you. This will help us share your story with elected officials.
Chester from Blount County writes:
I would like to start by reminding everyone that in Alabama All Land is POSTED BY LAW and you and I must have written permisson to set foot off state and county roads.
This is a good idea in order to keep our private property private. Without this written permission, we need public lands where we can enjoy the environment that we are blessed to be stewards of for now. To me, this project, Forever Wild, is not a short term investment but long term goal for our great- great- great- grandchildrens' future. This recession-depression or what ever it is we are currently experiencing is just short term - one or two generations at worst. What we the people of Alabama need are wild places to visit or just have the peace of knowing they are there for our future generations to enjoy. These lands are a tangible legacy and resource for all - regardless of its monetary value. I believe it would be a good idea to purchase a minimum of 10,000 acres in each of our 67 counties so that all Alabamians could have local access without a four plus hour drive. This way we could save on oil and gas and still be able to enjoy the beautiful wildlife and land that i s unique to our great state. To those who do not agree, I guess we could spend the money on the temporary "pleasure" of alcohol and cigarettes. I guess this would generate more tax money for the state at least for current budget issues/concerns. These are just some thoughts from a concerned citizen.
Thank you all for supporting Forever Wild .A few years ago my wife and I with a group of frends had horses and would travel to Georgia & Tennessee to ride. It cost a lot to travel there, even with cheaper gas prices. These states have beautiful places to ride & camp. We in Alabama have beautiful places also .When Forever Wild bought the tracts of land, we loved to camp & ride at the Walls of Jericho , Choccolocco, Bankhead & Co osa Management areas. I remember one trip to the Walls Of Jericho, we rode down to the horse stop and most everyone walked to the Walls. I stayed with the horses because they are not like a car where you can turn a key and and they stay put. It was so beautiful & quiet there. While waiting with the horses, I saw several hikers walk by and would talk to some of them. I was thinking about the fact that most hikers did not bring enough water for the trip back up. We had learned to carry water for us to drink but the horses love to drink from the crystal clear water running down the valley. Our ride back would be up hill all the way and reminded me of the mountains in Tennessee. We saw a flock of turkeys and some squirrels. I have been told that a flock of turkeys need about 10,000 acres to survive naturally. The squirrels can manage on smaller areas like parks in a city. I've never seen a turkey in Linn Park. I am not saying anything bad about city parks just that they need more room for horses, turkeys and other wildlife. On another trip we had some of the best squirrel stew while relaxing at camp. My wife and I no longer have horses and our health has declined to the point that we may never get to see the Walls of Jericho again but we know they are still there for all our grand kids to visit. Thanks for your support of the Forever Wild program. Please spread a good word for it.
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Sincerely,
Chester
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