Judging by what we see on our waters and in our forests, one is left with the impression that there is too little being done to protect and preserve our resources. We are no longer custodians and guardians; rather, we have become consumers with little regard for the welfare of our lands and waters. Poaching and senseless killing seems to abound; there is no lack of litter and broken glass even deep in the woods far off the beaten trail; good manners and sportsmanship are becoming uncommon; our lakes and rivers are being ravaged by erosion, pollution and urbanization; and what was once a genteel, honourable pastime is now viewed by many as merely an excuse for hooligans to whoop it up outdoors with rod or gun in hand. And what used to be a quiet day in the woods or on the water is now often an unpleasant ordeal among crowds of folk who seem bent on playing their music or yelling louder, driving their jet ski faster, or leaving more litter within twenty feet of a garbage can than their neighbours. Our propensity for such abuse has resulted in countless public access areas being closed, and a general impression by the incidental outdoors visitor that outdoors enthusiasts are more enthused with damaging the environment than protecting and nurturing it.
What I see when I look around is so different from what I saw as a kid and I wonder if it may be too late to turn things around. Something went very wrong along the way. When I was first introduced to the outdoors almost fifty years ago, anglers and hunters respected their quarry, the forests and waters. People obeyed fish and game laws and didn't litter the countryside. Sure, there were less people using the resource, but I doubt that's the reason ethics, courtesy and honesty were a part of the outdoors scene then, but not today. Maybe people are too busy or adversely affected by today's economy to have the time or energy to give something back to the resource. Yet my Dad and his cronies used hand lines because they couldn't afford real fishing gear, and after often working two shifts during the week, they took myself and my buddy out on the weekend and we never left the water with illegal fish or leaving mounds of garbage behind. I learned to love and respect the outdoors; the old timers instilled in me what we now call "ethics". I don't recall ever hearing the word then; it was just the way things were done. So I am saddened when I look around today and see so little of what was commonplace when I was growing up. But I refuse to accept that my grandchildren may never experience the joys I did. It's not right or fair that the children of today may be denied something so simple yet wonderful as a day's outing in the outdoors without stepping on broken beer bottles, seeing gutted steelhead or hearing foul language from louts wading in foul water littered with shopping carts.
I hope that we have not yet reached the point of no return. I am very gratified that there are still some people who share my worries, and it seems those numbers are growing. I know I can never re-live those days with my Dad. He's gone, together with the places we fished and wildlife that once lived there. I can't bring that back. But what I hope I and others can do, is give the children of today a chance to see and experience nature as it's meant to be and instill in them a love and appreciation that will be reflected in them by a respect and caring for the resource, taking from it some enchantment and joy, but always returning something in return. We can do this by example and by encouraging a "get involved" attitude to remind us that we all have a duty and responsibility to protect our Fish & Wildlife. Wearing the crest shows others that you are concerned about the welfare of our resources and making an effort to promote ethical use and adherence to the regulations. Much like the River Watch and Guardian programs, the crest gives a visual presence in the field that sends a clear message that there are outdoors enthusiasts who care about our wildlife, forests and waters, reminding us all that we are but custodians of the treasures around us.
| Pricing: |
| Single price for the crests is 3.50 including tax and postage. Three for $10, seven for $20. |
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| Andy Rubaszek
10 Royal Rouge Trail Scarborough, Ontario M1B 4T4 |