Driving through the Lamar Valley on our second visit to Yellowstone in the 1990s, I found the scenery so tranquil and the surroundings so inspiring that I told Frank, “If I ever get really mad at you, just utter the words, ‘Lamar Valley’ and I will cool down.”

We didn’t see any bears, although the park rangers had told us that was the place we were most likely to see bears and wolves. Driving out of the Valley and back to the town of West Yellowstone, we saw a lone wolf loping down the middle of the street.

Of course I expect the environment to evolve and change over time, but I was certain that since this magical place is “protected” as part of the National Park System, it would remain in that state of perfection for a long time.  I expected to be able to take myself back there mentally whenever I feel like it, and get that same rush of peace and awe as before.

At the same time, I was serving on the board of the National Parks Conservation Association, which was warning in the media:

(http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/mar2002/2002-03-25-06.asp)

Top 10 U.S. Endangered Parks Not Top Government Priorities

WASHINGTON, DC, March 25, 2002 (ENS)

The National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) today released its fourth annual list of America's Ten Most Endangered National Parks, highlighting threats that include air pollution, development and insufficient funding. “

Yellowstone National Park was high among them for the second year in a row.

It has been less than a decade later, and the story now is:

http://www.truthout.org/issues_06/031808EC.shtml
 

In a Warmer Yellowstone Park, a Shifting Environmental Balance
By Jim Robbins
The New York Times

Tuesday 18 March 2008

Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming - The grassy sweep of the Lamar Valley in the northeastern corner of this park is famous for its wildlife, especially its vast herds of elk and bison and the wolves that hunt them.