2008 heralds the 40th anniversary of the national Wild & Scenic Rivers Act. This law marked a fundamental change in how we value rivers in this country and recognized that healthy, free-flowing rivers bring significant economic and social benefits to our communities and our lives. The Rogue River, one of the original eight rivers protected under this act, is today a natural gem. Both humans and wildlife have benefited from the protection of this incredible river (see in the above photo the cute Rogue River otter eating away on his fish lunch).
If one where to pick a metaphor for the Rogue River, something that captures its essence, it would be the life cycle of the salmon. The lives of these incredible fish, as they journey from mountain stream to the ocean and back again, are dedicated to the future--to nurturing and sustaining that which will follow. To me, the Rogue River is the heart of this endless cycle, as old as the universe and as young as the mist chased up the canyon walls by the morning sun.
