After the release, we sat on the side of one of Oregon's premier rivers and enjoyed the last rays of sunlight. When I hear the sound of water slipping over rocks and exhale the daily stresses of the Legislature, I often wonder whether my children will have the same opportunity to enjoy rivers. In politics, passion is a dangerous trait. However, I remain passionate about redefining the word conservation. The word has been stolen, abused and thrown away with a negative perception.
Environmentalists use the word conservation as a billy club in lawsuits.
The agriculture and natural resource communities are galvanized with skepticism and only whisper the word conservation, in fear of the perception of giving too much. But in fact, conservation describes a large majority of the population that is alienated and left out of salmon restoration efforts. Conservation is mainline progressive and environmentalism is off the edge. The best place to start in thinking about redefining conservation is the beginning of this century. Under Teddy Roosevelt's Republican administration, these words became the national debate.