Pro-Wilderness
In Granville

I must protest the persistent presentation of the town of Granville as the poster child against wilderness areas.

It is distressing to read, as I did in these pages last week, a comment like "There is absolutely no economic incentive to the Town of Granville from more wilderness". That opinion, though held very vocally by one of Granville’s selectmen, is not shared by everyone who lives here.

I, for one, enthusiastically support the legislation presented by Vermont’s delegation in Washington last April.

Expanding Vermont’s wild spaces is a worthy goal. Research shows that wildlife only flourishes when territories are large and contiguous. In our state, we have the luxury of much land and few people. We have the ability—even the responsibility—to restore our natural environment when possible.

The comment that Granville somehow suffers economically from conservation distorts the issue. It suggests that Granville should not only enjoy open vistas, clean air and water, and an astonishing array of wildlife, but get some financial benefit too.

Wilderness serves a greater common good. It benefits everyone, not just the people whose town happens to border it. As a taxpayer in Granville, I am grateful for the wilderness in my backyard and gladly shoulder the responsibility of conserving it.

Kate Stauss

Granville