On this page I will provide my observations on books related to environmental topics. I plan to discuss the basic themes and purposes of each book and eventually I will note particular aspects of each book regarding its value to enhanced environmental consciousness.
This Land, by Christopher Ketcham
In this review, I will talk about a book by Christopher Ketcham, This Land, How Cowboys, Capitalism and Corruption are Ruining the American West. I will start off saying that I read this book with a mixture of emotion. I was elated with the book in general and I was disgusted and angry with much of the revelations in the content. One emotional response was somewhat dependent on the other.
The first person experience at the beginning of the book left me with a sense of horror. The actions that seemed to be condoned even supported by the government management of the BLM were shocking. As a stockholder in federal public lands, I was appalled by what was allowed by the officials paid to ensure that these lands are protected and preserved in the best interest of all of us who care and enjoy these fairly wild spaces.
The reality is that I know much of the BLM lands are to be managed for multiple use, meaning that the extraction industry production such as logging, mining, and drilling activities have a significant sway in policy decisions, especially under this administration. Even more significant is the grazing activities of the cattle industry. In fact, I have with dismay frequently encountered free-range cattle when hiking through areas where that activity is supported through leases. Ketcham was clear in his book that national and local managers either turn a blind eye or actively facilitate the overuse, misuse, and violations of the intent of laws governing public lands.
The book is divided into three parts: Battle, Betrayal and Resistance. In Battle he describes the villains in this conflict, the ranchers, oil representatives, but most importantly, the federal, state, and local governments charged with managing public lands. He exposes the many violations of public trust in how the lands are managed and the various benefits to the industrial users of the land. For example, the federal government provides subsidies for public grazing, infrastructure for the users, and most egregious for me, operates a program for the eradication of wildlife that industrial users deem a problem.
In Betrayal, among many other subjects, he describes a change in the process of decision making in the management of public lands. He includes the Obama administration in the list of those that did not stand up for public lands. He describes the management during the administration as weak and passive in addressing the attacks on public lands and the creatures that live there. It wasn’t a surprise that the Republican administrations were actively attempting to undermine the Endangered Species Act, but it was a surprise that the Obama administration was soft in its response.
At least as important as the lack of support from various administrations is the change that Ketcham sees in the oversight from environmental organizations especially those at the national level. He describes the change in the leadership of national environmental organizations as an alliance between the the overseer and business and industrial interests. He uses the phrase “eco pragmatism” to label the focus of “Big Green” (the big environmental groups). He asserts that “Big Green” has been significantly compliant and even complicit in undermining the essence of environmental law.
In Resistance, he describes some of the people and organizations that are attempting to hold the industrial and business users, and governmental managers of public lands accountable. He states that this is an ongoing process and that it is vigorously fought. He also states that many of the true environmental warriors are engaged in a nearly daily struggle to preserve the wild.
He notes that the Trump administration is very direct in its desire to undermine environmental regulations and even reduce if not eliminate prior public lands protections.
In summary, This Land is a bold, expansive compendium exploring and exposing management of our public lands. I really enjoyed reading this book. At the same time, I was a little overwhelmed by the scope of details governing the administration of public lands. I believe that this book should find its place among some of the most important books for those caring about public lands, wild lands, and wildlife. Although I am hesitant to embrace Ketcham’s opinion about some of the “Big Green” organizations, I had already distanced myself from some groups due to my perception that some of their policies are ambivalent. I will need to keep an open mind and be vigilant regarding how environmental groups stay true to their mission in the future.
I can wholeheartedly recommend this book for readers who care about public lands, wild places, and wildlife. It’s probably a good idea to read it twice as there is so much information stashed in its 385 pages. For other readers, it might feel a bit overwhelming, but it is certainly worth the effort. The primary criticism by other reviewers is that Ketcham takes his passion too far. I can see why they make this complaint, but I think it is important that the author stood strong for the public lands he loves.
I think this book does indeed further environmental consciousness. The most important contributions are the increased awareness that wild places and wildlife are constantly challenged for existence, and that all of us who care must remain vigilant against the degradation of the dwindling places where the magic of the wild still exists.
Jack Wills Author Website 