The more compared to 19 million acre Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) in the northeast. Alaska makes one of the most biologically intact wilderness areas in the nation. Beautiful and home to a great diversity of animals, including polar bears, caribou, wolves, and migrating birds, Margaret “Mardy” Murie, a trailblazing environmentalist whose dedication and activism helped to secure the preservation of such unique territory, was indispensible in its protection. Those who work now to preserve wilderness still find motivation in her words and deeds. Six strong words from Mardy Murie here convey her close bond to the earth and her dedication to preservation.
“Wilderness itself is the basis of all our civilization. I wonder if we have enough reverence for life to concede to wilderness the right to live on?”
Murie’s excellent knowledge of the intrinsic value of wilderness is caught in this quotation. She believed that instruments to be applied as well as the health of the environment and the human soul depend on wild regions. Her remarks challenge us to consider how we live in the surroundings and realize that nature has rights to survive for its own sake aside from human needs.
“I hope the United States of America is not so rich that she can afford to let these wildernesses pass by, or so poor she cannot afford to keep them.”
Here Murie’s comments highlight the moral and ethical sides of preservation. She maintained that preservation of wildness is more about values and aspirations than about cost. Given its vast lengths and immense biodiversity, the legacy of the Arctic Refuge cannot be quantified in money. Her message is a call to action calling following generations to give the preservation of these priceless sites great attention.
“The Arctic has a call that is compelling. The distant mountains make one want to go on and on over the next ridge and over the one beyond. The call is that of a wilderness known only to a few… This last American wilderness must remain sacrosanct.”
Murie catches in this remark the Arctic’s compelling beauty and ability to provoke surprise and awe. She understood the Arctic Refuge represented resiliency and hope as much as a physical place. Her choice of the word “sacrosanct” emphasizes her conviction that some sites are too valuable to be given up for transient benefit.
“We are part of the earth and it is part of us. Our sisters are the scented bloom; our brothers are the deer, the horse, the huge eagle.
Murie’s comments capture the wisdom of Indigenous societies, which view humans as a natural component of the surroundings rather than as separate from it. Her deep ecological consciousness and belief that all life is interrelated are caught in this quotation. It reminds us that protecting wildness respects the relationships that keep us alive as much as it does landscape.
“Wilderness is a resource which can shrink but not grow… the creation of new wilderness in the full sense of the word is impossible.”
This remark underlines how permanent wilderness destruction is. Once a wild place vanishes, it never can be fully restored. Murie’s comments function as a warning against the occasional complacency following discussions on development and resource use.
“I am battling for the Arctic Refuge since I believe in the sacredness of wild areas and the right of all species to live in harmony with the land.”
Respect of the natural surroundings and a conviction of ethical responsibility to preserve them drove Murie’s commitment to the Arctic Refuge. Not only as a haven for species but also as a lighthouse of hope for a society in which people live in harmony with their surroundings. Her ongoing fight for the Arctic Refuge motivates modern environmentalists.
Mardy Murie left behind documentation of vision, tenacity, and enthusiasm. Her words remind us that it is morally required of us to preserve areas like Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and that wilderness is a need rather than a luxury. Her point of view is increasingly pertinent now as we face the mounting difficulties with habitat loss and climate change. A sliver of optimism, the Arctic Refuge reminds us of our strength when we gather to save the wild areas that nourish all of us.
East West Hunt
FAQ’s
Why is ANRW significant?
Comprising a perfect 19-million-acre wilderness, ANWR in Alaska is home to polar bears and caribou. For Indigenous cultures and biodiversity, which represent the need of protecting wild areas, it is absolutely crucial.
Who was Mardy Murie?
Key supporter of ANR was Mardy Murie, sometimes known as the “Grandmother of Conservation.” Inspired by her efforts, contemporary conservation groups emerged in 1960 and grew in 1980
ANWR faces what dangers?
Oil drilling, climate change, and habitat degradation all challenge ANWR. Honoring Murie’s legacy of conserving wildness for next generations, environmentalists struggle to defend it.