Turn off the lights to see

It’s a clear night, not a cloud in the sky, a perfect night to look at the stars, except for one thing, there are no visible stars in the sky.

This is due to one contributing factor: light pollution.

Light pollution is the excessive use of artificial light. This is seen mostly in heavily populated areas. According to darksky.org, light pollution is the side effect of industrial civilization.

Sources of artificial light are interior and exterior lighting from buildings, illuminated advertising signs, commercial properties, factories, streetlights and illuminated sporting stadiums.

The International Dark-Sky Association shared four components of light pollution. These four components are glare, sky glow, light trespass, and clutter.

Glare is excessive brightness that causes visual discomfort. Sky glow is brightening of the night sky over inhabited areas. Light trespass is light falling where it is not intended or needed. Lastly, clutter is bright, confusing groupings of light sources.

The majority of light pollution that people are used to is light trespass. Many sources of outdoor light are either overly bright or poorly targeted. With this inefficient lighting, light pollution is made.

In an effort to give the stars their light again, the International Dark Sky Association is working with land managers and other organizations to develop Dark Sky Reserves.

Dark Sky Reserves, according to darksky.org, is a public or private land possessing an exceptional or distinguished quality of starry nights and nocturnal environment that is specifically protected for its scientific, natural, educational, cultural, heritage and/or public enjoyment.

There are only 12 Dark Sky Reserves in the world and only one in the United States.

The single Dark Sky Reserve in the United States is located in Central Idaho and is approximately 1, 416 square miles.

The Idaho Dark Sky Reserve was designated in 2017 and has been an area of not only exclusion in the night, but hiking, backpacking, and horseback riding throughout the day.

There isn’t much space in the United States to have access to an off the grid experience. The Idaho Dark Sky Reserve is the place for the off the grid experience.

“Visitors can have a truly ‘off-grid’ experience, with access to neither electricity nor mobile phone service across thousands of square kilometers,” according to darksky.org.

The International Dark Sky Association has specific guidelines for Dark Sky Reserves, among those guidelines there are specific goals that the Dark Sky Reserve is attempting to meet with each reserve made.

A couple of the goals listed are to encourage land administrators, surrounding communities and private interests to identify dark skies as a valuable resource in need of proactive protection, also, to provide international recognition of such sites.

There are many ways you can prevent light pollution. One of those is buying certified outdoor lighting features.
 
Actions can also be made to develop lighting ordinances in your local communities.

March 13, 2019March 13, 2019 by Victoria Fowler Categories: Senior ProjectTags: dark sky, environment, Idaho, light, light pollution, outdoor, outside, pollution, stars Leave a comment

Land is Life: Environmental Rights Initiative

On March 6, 2018, the United Nations launched an environmental rights initiative.

This is in an effort to take a stand against ongoing threats, harassment, and murder of environmental defenders. This initiative is asking business communities to keep a clean and healthy environment.

In 2017, approximately four people a week were killed defending their right to a clean environment, according to unenvironment.org.

Check out the United Nation’s Environmental Rights Initiative video here:

According to a Pew Research study, one in five Americans always tries to show concern for the environment.

Although, the world is in an era where caring for the environment is a must.

The Ontario Institute for Cancer Research has released that there is strong evidence that environmental exposures, such as air pollution, affect gene expressions associated with respiratory diseases much more than genetic ancestry.

Air pollution kills more than six million people every year, according to the United Nations Environment webpage.

Air pollution comes from a variety of sources, such as vehicle emissions, wildfires, coal-fired power plants, etc. Supporting cleaner fuels and vehicles is one to fight the growing increase in air pollution.

There are many other ways that people can turn to help the environment and one of the easiest ways is recycling.

In a Pew Research study, 32 percent of U.S. adults say they are bothered, a great deal, by people throwing away things that could be recycled.

In that same study by Pew Research, it was noticed that what actually gets recycled varies by product type.

In 2013, 99 percent of lead-acid batteries, 88.5 percent of cardboard boxes, 67 percent of newspapers, 13.5 percent of plastic bags and 6.2 percent of small appliances were recycled in that year.

According to abc.net.au, a business in Australia is doing its part to reduce waste and benefit others.

FareShare is a kitchen that takes food that people would normally throw out and creates meals for those in need.

Most food that people deem is bad, in many cases isn’t. Although, tons of food each year is thrown out and then transported to landfills where it decomposes and produces methane gas.

FareShare has a goal of changing this. In 2017, FareShare cooked 1,158,569 meals and used 821 tons of food that could have gone to waste, according to fareshare.net.au.

“Violations of environmental rights have a profound impact on a wide variety of human rights, including the rights to life, self-determination, food, water, health, sanitation, housing, cultural, civil and political rights,” UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein said in the press release.

The Environmental Rights Initiative will engage governments to strengthen institutional capacities to develop and implement policy and legal frameworks that protect environmental rights, according to unenvironemnt.org.

Environmental defenders all over the world are taking a stand because land is life.

March 13, 2019March 13, 2019 by Victoria Fowler Categories: Senior ProjectTags: defend, earth, environment, land, outdoors, outside, planet, rights Leave a comment

This land was made for you and me

Editorial Board voted 20-3

It all began in 1906: the protection of land.

From there, the Antiquities Act, the National Park Service, the National Environmental Policy Act, the Clean Air Act, etc. were born.

As of January of this year, 417 units have been added in the National Park System, with 59 national parks, 87 national monuments and 78 national historical sites, all of which cover more than 84 million acres.

And now, in 2017, we want to shrink this number.

We, as Scroll staff, stand behind the protection of public lands and want it to be known that we do not support the selling or diminishing of these national monuments that shape so much of this country.

On April 26, President Trump signed an executive order that can lead to the reduction or complete elimination of national monuments created since 1996.

Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke is in the process of reviewing the 27 national monuments that are in question and is planning to have this assessment done by the end of August, according to The New York Times.

One of the most discussed national monuments in question is Bears Ears in Utah.

Bears Ears doesn’t only offer great expanses of land for public use, such as exploration and recreation, but is also the home of many native tribes, according to the Patagonia webpage.

Bears Ears has become such a big topic because of its size, which is roughly 2,000 square miles and, according to npr.org, “…is said to be encroaching on the rights of Utah residents.”

The rights these residents are concerned about is their ability to develop oil and gas drilling in these areas, according to NPR.

On the other side, native tribes and users of the public lands are concerned about clean air and water and the protection of archaeological sites containing tribal artifacts, according to National Geographic.

The concerns these Utah residents are facing shouldn’t be a priority. More harm than good will come from oil and gas drilling in these areas.

The struggle here shouldn’t be about money, but that is where we are putting it. It should be about human life and the world around us.

With this monetary blindfold being placed over our eyes, it is hard to see the world around us and how our physical actions can affect not only the land and people now, but generations later if there is anything left.

Unfortunately, if we, in the words of President Trump, in his remarks at the Interior Department, “free it up” and “return control to the people” there would be more economic struggles and less care for the land.

Because the federal government owns a great deal of land, they also come with the responsibility of making decisions in regard to recreation, habitat and wildlife conservation, mining, logging, grazing and oil and gas drilling.

The federal government balances all of these aspects of balancing priorities and funding. This is something many states couldn’t afford to manage.

Revealnews.org reported that states couldn’t afford to manage this much public land unless they open more of it to natural resource extraction.

In a study produced by the Bureau of Economic and Business Research prepared by the University of Utah, Utah State University and Weber State University on the transfer of federal lands to the state in Utah found that a land transfer of this magnitude would mean a major shift in the current economic structure for the state.

This study also showed that the research included how public lands contribute to the economic growth of local economies and the quality of life of Utah citizens.

The review of national monuments to give the land back to the states shouldn’t be in consideration. According to headwaterseconomic.org, these states perform better on the economic stage with federally funded public lands.

We can begin taking a stand by signing the petition by Patagonia to support Bears Ears National Monument. Until July 9, you can speak up at bearsears.patagonia.com/take-action.

We must use our public lands for good and take a stand.

We need land that isn’t flooded with industry and poor air quality.

We need land that will last.

We need to sign petitions and our voices need to be heard.

We must protect our public lands.

We must remember the words from the famous song by Woody Guthrie, “This land was made for you and me.”

 

The published article can be found at byuiscroll.org

March 13, 2019March 13, 2019 by Victoria Fowler Categories: BYU-I Scroll, Personal WorkTags: environment, national parks, outdoors, outside, protection, public lands Leave a comment

Getting started with gear

Preparation is key when it comes to hiking. No matter your skill level or physical condition if you don’t have the right tools then the task at hand becomes more difficult.

I paired with Patagonia and was able to put together an affordable and basic layering system to get anyone started for there first for the fiftieth hike.

When it comes to layering for a hike there are three basic components, a base layer to wick moisture, a mid-layer for warmth and a shell for protection.

Here are affordable layers for each hiker, by Patagonia:

Base Layer- A base layer regulates body temperature and keeps moisture from your skin. Here are two midweight base layers: Men’s Midweight Crew and Women’s Midweight Crew.

Mid Layer- Primarily for insulation, mid layers are meant to keep you warm and to keep moisture from the skin. Mid layers can also be used as outer layers if conditions aren’t too severe. Here are two mid layers to consider: Men’s Fleece and Women’s Fleece.

Outer Shell- To keep you dry from wind, rain, or snow an outer shell protection is perfect to have, especially for hikes in southeastern Idaho. Here are two outer shell options: Men’s Jacket and Women’s Jacket.

Even though this layering system may seem fairly simple, it will keep you warm and dry during any type of hike.

December 4, 2018March 11, 2019 by Victoria Fowler Categories: Senior ProjectTags: cold, gear, hiking, jackets, layering, outdoors, outside, prepare, trails, travel Leave a comment

5 hikes you need to try

Lace up your hiking boots and hit the trail! The Southeastern Idaho area is home to hundreds of hikes all over the region, ranging from the perfect “getting started” hike to the more skilled trail. Whatever your skill level, the southeastern Idaho area has you set to begin your hiking journey.

Listed below are five must-do hikes in the area.

All ratings are based on alltrails.com

Beginner:

Cress Creek- Nestled along the Snake River, in Ririe, Idaho, the Cress Creek trail is a 1.3-mile trail that is accessible to any level hiker. The beginning of the trail, leading to the loop is a gradual incline on a paved walkway.

Once you reach the split to go around the loop the trail becomes a gravel path, but easy to navigate. Once in the loop, there are some steeper sections, but nothing too difficult.

Cress Creek trail is the perfect taste of the beauty southeastern Idaho holds. The trail can be accessed all year round but is best to visit June through October.

​Bloomington Lake Trail– No need for an Eifel Tower while in Paris, Idaho with this hike to a beautiful lake. The Bloomington Lake Trail is an out and back 1.4-mile hike.

This hike is perfect for beginners and offers gorgeous views of the area. About a half a mile in the hike, there is a smaller body of water, but don’t let this fool you, at the end of the hike Bloomington Lake is a beautiful reward.

This hike is best accessed March through October, although if you do take this trail earlier in the year be prepared for snow.

Moderate:
Mystic Falls– One of the many wonders of Yellowstone National Park, Mystic Falls is the perfect hike to get away from the busy attractions of the national park.

Mystic Falls is a 3.6- mile hike that starts at the Biscuit Basin Geyser and leads you through trees up to an incredible overlook and then to the falls.

This hike is a little harder than the rest because of its distance but also the 546 ft. elevation gain through the trees.

Be sure though when you come to the first split in the trail to take the right path, this will bring you to the overlook and gives you an incredible view of Yellowstone National Park.

​Difficult:
Table Rock- With stunning views of the Teton Mountains, Table Rock is a difficult out and back 12-mile hike, but is worth every step. Located in Alta, Wyoming, Table Rock is the perfect hike for the experienced hiker.

The trail begins right off with switchbacks that lead to the beauty of the Jedediah Smith Wilderness. The trail is easy to navigate through these fields of green. Along the trail, there are streams and parts of rivers to be crossed. Previous hikers have gone through and made log bridges to easily pass over the water.

This trail is best used from July to September. Any sooner than these times will give some difficulty with snow. This hike gets its difficult title from its 4,140 ft. elevation gain. As difficult as this hike may be, it is a beautiful experience for each hiker.

Cascade Canyon Trail- Of the many hikes in Grand Teton National Park, Cascade Canyon Trail, is a must do. This hike is an out and back 9.3-mile trail near Beaver Creek, Wyoming.
The trail begins on the Shore of Jenny Lake and takes you into the Cascade Canyon. This hike brings you up to Inspiration Point, which gives great views of the national park but doesn’t stop here.

This trail will take you farther into the canyon giving spectacular views and a memorable experience that will keep you coming back.

This trail is best accessed April to September and has an elevation gain of 1,066. The first part of this trail is rather steep, but after the first mile, the elevation is a gradual incline. Following a creek through the canyon, this hike offers all that the Grand Teton National Park has to offer.

December 4, 2018March 13, 2019 by Victoria Fowler Categories: Senior ProjectTags: Grand Teton National Park, hiking, Idaho, lakes, need to do, outdoors, outside, rivers, trails, waterfalls, Wyoming, yellowstone Leave a comment

17 times and more to come

Among the potato fields of southeastern Idaho, Brent Ashcraft had dreams for much bigger.

“I was always exercising and when scouts came we went on hikes and I loved that stuff, but then I got into school, went to college and got out of that, I got into the studying scene and lost touch with some of that,” Ashcraft said.

When Ashcraft turned 40 he decided to get back in touch with his love for the outdoors and took up climbing.

“We were driving from here [Rexburg] to Idaho falls one day and my coworker was saying, ‘You know I read this thing and I decided I wanted to climb something,’ and in the back of my mind I had always thought, ‘yeah, I want to climb, but I didn’t know that you could.’ I didn’t know how” Ashcraft said.

Ashcraft connected with other coworkers who were going to climb the Grand Teton and he took advantage of this opportunity.

Although, on Ashcraft’s first time up the Grand Teton his group didn’t even make it to the top.

Hiking the Grand Teton is a 14-mile round trip hike with the peak at an elevation of 13.776 ft. and an elevation gain of 7,000 ft. over the course of the hike, according to Jackson Hole Mountain Guides webpage.

“We got up to the meadows and he [the guide] says I’m sick and can’t go any further,” Ashcraft said. “We were really looking forward to this so he said that he could describe the way up, but he was only going to tell us as far as the upper saddle, he wasn’t going to tell you how to get to the top.”

Ashcraft and his hiking companion made it to the lower saddle. At this point, they saw some other guides and asked if they could get directions for the rest of the way.

“The guides told us that they couldn’t in good conscience tell us because it is so dangerous up there if you don’t know the way,” Ashcraft said.

Ashcraft’s first trip was later in the season. This required them to wait another year before attempting to climb again.

The following year Ashcraft met his goal and made it up the Grand Teton.
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“Since then I have climbed it [Grand Teton] 17 times over the last 18 years,” Ashcraft said. “I love it.”

Ashcraft said that over the years he has learned that being prepared is the most important.

“I make sure there are at least three nice weather days in a row and I’ll just pick the middle one so that something doesn’t come surprisingly,” Ashcraft said.

Ashcraft makes note that not only is water, food and proper clothing important to have when you make any climb but knowing the way is vital.

Ashcraft doesn’t believe that he would’ve hiked the Grand Teton without someone showing him the way.

In 2014, it was reported that 2,658 search and rescue efforts were made. The exact number of lost hikers nationwide is unknown, according to the National Park Service.

“I’ve run into other people who have tried hiking for the first time without a guide and made it, but they end up in the middle of the night and they have lost their way and it ends up being kind of a miserable ending experience for them,” Ashcraft said.

Ashcraft explained that in the summer, thunderstorms can develop quickly and can be dangerous.

Ashcraft had one experience where he was taking a group of first timers up the Grand Teton and he noticed a storm developing in the distance.

“We got in between the lower saddle and the upper saddle and I could see the thunderstorm start to move in. I said, ‘we are turning around,’ and he didn’t want to, but his brother and sister convinced him, so we went back down,” Ashcraft said. “That was the day that lightning struck a group up there and killed one lady instantly and knocked a few others off, so they were just dangling from their ropes.”

Ashcraft said that by the time that happened they were back at the lower saddle and under shelter because they turned around.

“I don’t take those kinds of risks,” Ashcraft said.

Ashcraft explained that it isn’t just the spectacular views that keep him coming back to climb, but it is how he feels while he climbs.

Ashcraft linked his connection with climbing to the Old Testament.

In the Old Testament Moses goes to the mountaintop to speak with God. In the New Testament Christ went up into the mount and told his disciples to send the people away and he goes up into the mountain.

“To me, there is a connection in the same way. I actually love hiking by myself or in a group that’s not really chatty, because then you can absorb that and you can feel it and ponder about life,” Ashcraft said.

Whenever Ashcraft takes anyone up the Grand Teton he tries to bring this aspect of pondering life and following the spirit into each of his climbs.

“I will tell to listen to the spirit and that’s who you’re following, you’re not following me,” Ashcraft said. “I’m going to counsel you and I’m going to show you the way, but at any point that you have a feeling that you’re not supposed to go any further then that’s what you listen to.”

Ashcraft encourages everyone and anyone to set a goal to go on a hike. It doesn’t have to be a long or difficult hike. He said that it is ok if you start small, as long as you start.
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“Just do it,” Ashcraft said. “It’s one of those things that you just need to try, well I didn’t do it until I was 40, and then I started thinking I just wasted a bunch of years.”

Since Ashcraft’s first climb he has climbed the Grand Teton 17 times, he has climbed Mount Borah and Diamond Peak multiple times, completed 11 races up Pikes Peak and participated in various Ragnar races.

“You just never know what you’ll love,” Ashcraft said. “It’s an effort and it’s time and it’s an adventure and it’s a challenge. You just got to try it the first time. Somebody needs to nudge you a little bit, like Jim [coworker] nudged me and now I just thank him every time I see him.”

 

 

 

October 24, 2018March 13, 2019 by Victoria Fowler Categories: Senior ProjectTags: climbing, GTNP, hiking, mountain, outdoors, outside, Tetons, trails Leave a comment