After years of traveling and studying the biology, ecology, and possible areas to be set aside for wilderness protection in Alaska with her husband Olaus, the Margaret and Olaus Murie celebrated over tears of joy news by telegram the designation of the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) on December 6, 1960 by Secretary of Interior Seaton.
After Olaus' death from cancer in 1963, Margaret carried on as author, speaker, and wilderness advocate. In 1990, Mardy Murie, was invited to address a conference sponsored by the Alaska Humanities Forum on "Alaskan Lifestyle". Her words resonate today.
"How much of Alaska for change, for development, for profits, for jobs, for more populations? How much for the land itself as it now is, with all its potential gifts of subsistence living, of scientific discoveries, of healthful recreation, of inspiration? On this point do we have to split and declare war? I plead for a plan under which there will always be room for a healthy economy, for a healthy population, with a great deal of Alaska left alone.
I think my main thought is this: that perhaps Man is going to be overwhelmed by his own cleverness; that he many even destroy himself by this same cleverness; and I firmly believe that one of the very few hopes left for Man is the preservation of the wilderness we now have left; and the greatest reservoir of that medicine for mankind lies here in Alaska."
The full story and much inspiration lies in Mardie's book "Two in the Far North".
Her final words in the book to us, the next generation..
"The overriding thought throughout my days is that there is still hope for the preservation of the beloved natural world of both the Lower 48 states and Alaska. Perhaps my strongest perpetual hope, after these intervening years, is, as it was in 1975. Do I dare to believe that one of my great-grandchildren may someday journey to Sheenjek and still find the gray wolf trotting across the ice of Lobo Lake? Yes, I do still dare to believe."
I too dare to believe that my generation and the next generation and the next will continue to speak up for ANWR and for what remains as wilderness on this planet.
I'm particularly grateful this year that President Obama agrees.