The Principles of the Land

Joseph Guadian | BIOL-1120-Sp18-Berryman | Feb 24 2018

The reflection of the Land ethic

I remember the time when I was a Boy Scout and the respect that one learns

from living, sharing, competing, and the symbioses between humans and land.

Aldo, speaking on the ethical sequence said the following; “Individual thinkers

since the days of Ezekiel and Isaiah have asserted that the despoliation of the land is

not only inexpedient but wrong.” Thinking of the lecture in chapter 2 lesson 3,

talking about the three hypotheses of life Panspermia/Exogenesis,

Creation/Intelligent Design, and Abiogenesis. I fall in the second,

Creation/Intelligent Design. Just like Leopold in his sequence I can relate that

throughout time men has lost the importance if the conservation of the land. The

love for the land cannot and must not be lost. However, I also believe that the land

was created for mankind. The resources of meat and vegetables do have a purpose.

The notion that science is to explain the how things work, and religions is to know

why things are in existence.

There are principles or moral responsibility to the land of the free and the brave

also mention by Leopold. I have also learned in his article that to make a substantial

change in our local areas is to do the following;

o Obey the law

o Vote right
o Joint some Organization
o Practice What Conservation is

There is so many ways to help ion the

conservation of the land. We all enjoy

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the beautiful trees, lakes, dessert, brushes, birds, and the sceneries of Utah. With

all beauty comes work and responsibility to the land and all in it, of course with

balance in all as well.

Part II (min 2 pages)

The way I characterize my own conservation philosophy is knowing that land

has value and like any valuable thing if its important to you, then you will hold it

safe and protected. I had many experiences in the Scout Program where I learn the

stars the plants what to eat and what not to eat. I learned that when we are not

responsible for our own actions we can cause an impact on the community and

ecosystem for the environment of animals and species.

The quote “A land ethic changes the role of humans from conqueror of the

land community to plain members and citizens of it. It implies respect for his

fellow-members, and respect for the community as such.” Demonstrate that

humans are part of the community. However, just because we are part of the

community does not mean that we forget our main role and purpose within the

community. Yes, we are citizens of the community and do have a moral

responsibility to the land. For that reason, I agree with the previous quote from

Aldo Leopold, if we care for the land and love to enjoy it we must do something in

return to maintain the beauty we enjoy. I have decided to put it into practice by

setting time for our family to plan trees in the neighborhood to make the Juab

county greener.

“The land-relation is still strictly economic, entailing privileges but not

obligations.” This was a quote from Leopold in he 1940’s. in the 40’s it seems that

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there was a huge use of the land in the form of agriculture around the nation. Living

in Nephi where most people still use the land as a source of agriculture use. In

compare to todays society you can see that things have change. I see more people

using the land for recreational purposes and at times people forget how to exploit

the land in a way that seems very carelessly. The use of ATV’s and motorize vehicles

are at times destroying the ecosystem of the surrounding life in the land as we know

it. I have also seen an increase in conservation efforts to restore and recover the life

of land and its citizens with in it.

Along with the

conservations efforts to live the

principles of the land is to be part

of the community. Having a deep

connection with the natural

resources helps to see the beauty

and the creation that comes with it. Living in the desserts of Utah we see the needs

to be conservative in particular the use of water. This year with the lack of moisture

I have seen the efforts of

being conservation

minded when it comes

to water usage. There

are many plans that will

be in place to help the community save water usage and rely on needs only.

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 “A thing is right when it tends to preserve the integrity, stability, and beauty

of the biotic community. It is wrong when it tends otherwise.” I agree to an extent,

let me explain. The land and its community have many purposes in this amazing

land we live and share as citizens of the community. There is an integrity, respect

and stability to the land and is inhabitants. There is also a need to use the biotic

community for the benefit of men. Not to disregard the laws of nature but to

expand the life as we know it. The implications of not taking care of the biotic

community in which we live can reflect the extinction of organism and life with in

the community and thus changes the ecosystem. As reflected in the conservations

efforts to the different conservations districts that have been assign around the state

of Utah to help restore and rebuild the ecosystems despite the changes and needs of

a growing population with such large growth in the state.

Leopold said, “It is inconceivable to me that an ethical relationship [with

land] can exist without love, respect, admiration, and a high regard for its value.”

Regarding this quote by Leopold, I agree that there is now way I can understand

why people don’t have a higher love and appreciation for the land. However, I would

be a liar if I don’t agree that in today’s society its very hard to disregard the value of

land. We all have a home, lot, farm, apartment, condo, of some sort where we call

home. With all it come $ value. Value has change from the time of the native

Americans to now. We not only live from the land but use it to progress

economically and stability. Because of the changes of society. We must take time to

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be involved in some way to conserve the environment in which we live. We do have a

duty to our community as citizens of the land.

I do think that its true interest in non-humans that land ethics originates.

When we see the kingdoms and how they take care of the land and their community

shows a great deal that everyone and everything has its place and duty to the land.

When the focus is with in the role of the creature and its community.

After reading the Land Ethics by Aldo Leopold I really did not change

my opinion on the principles values we hold of the land and community in which

we surround our self’s with. I did not think about the idea that if this is the “land of

the free and home of the brave” this reflects for ALL life within the community. We

should have a great appreciation for the beauty and life that keeps the natural

selectin alive. When I drive by the canyons I see beauty and as you surround your

self when you go camping or to the lake you will see the life and creation of an

intellectual Design.

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Citations:

 The Land Ethic from “Sand County Almanac by Aldo Leopold, 1949.

 Picture of the STEM in action https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/site/ut/home/

 https://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/utah/index.htm

 https://conservewater.utah.gov/

 https://www.natezeman.com/photo/dressed-in-white/

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