Thought you might enjoy reading some of the "reflections" of Y.E.C. Barbara Ross, Coordinator REFLECTIONS YOUTH ENVIRONMENTAL CONFERENCE 2004 The lake is pretty. he warm sand and sun feel really good. I like it here because... everyone here realizes nature's history, unlike back in the city nobody shows any care; here "a forest is" - each tree is like one life making. The lake is part of the forest, as a mother or a child. The mountains (part of the forest), are lke fathers or Gods, separating / placing great walls between / through parts to set secrets behind and through. The mountains also are here like kind dinosaur backs, inviting us to lay and hike on them and enjoy the trees and animals they bear in them. We can try to be friendly back to the forest and protect it from big dumb casinos, golf courses and logging. It's important that we keep places like this like this, because if it got ruined, what would happen? I dont' really know. I don't even want to think abut it - other than it's really bad and we should be sure it doesn't happen. You're a friend and here you live in a wonderful tree on a long neck dino back. Fly around everywhere and spread out and do everything, but little by little trees are disappearing and more and more dino backs are becoming bare. I don't really like what I wrote about the bird thing. Grass is like a bed. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- It (the lake) looks pretty cool, the way the water is slowly moving inwards is relaxing. I like the breeze. I wish the sand was better. The sounds of the waves makes me feel like I’m in another world. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- The value of inner harmony is most obviously fulfilled by the surrounding environment. One can easily lose himself in his thoughts. This is a truly peaceful place. The sound of the waves is very soothing. Only boats consist of the human influence. The surrounding mountains frame a beautiful scene. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Snow capped peaks sparkle in the distance; soft cottonball clouds drift over the woods. Aquamarine waves babble against the golden granules of rocks that hold the ancient stories of the land. Old, wise trees are scattered over luscious emerald grasses. A soft warmth effuses from the sun. But, nothing can shake this small biting cold - a breeze - small at first, but growing deep within my heart. A boat zooms past; a floating piece of trash; sirens of civilization shatter the serenity. What once was is lost. A world of beauty is disappearing. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- The lake is very calm and peaceful. The waves are very small, creating a slow rhythm, very relaxing. The sand has a very golden brown color to it, unlike the sand at Clear Lake (where I’m from). It almost looks like there are tiny diamonds in the sand that stand out as the sun reflects on them. The little boys running around bring a warm feeling to the beach. In the distance you can see blue, snow capped mountains, creating beautiful scenery. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- I love the environment. This opportunity to be with other people who feel a similar passing about the environment is awesome. When you come to Lake Tahoe and see the beauty it really makes you see how people can be so harsh and inadvertently mean to it. The different meanings of a forest tell you how much diversity there is. I think there is a lot people don’t know, and it is imperative that they should be informed so that the thinking of environmental conservation is spread to those ho don’t already know. Knowledge needs to be spread. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- This has been the most beautiful place I have ever seen. The beach is very nice and the sand is whitish-brown, and what is interesting about this lake is that it has three types of colored water. The first is clear colored water; the second is baby blue and the third is dark blue. This would have to be my dream lake. It’s a very nice like since it’s close to mountains and it just has a scenic view. The mountains are covered with snow, so it makes this place look even better. This would most like be a romantic place at sunset, and I bet you could see the stars here. Joshua V ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- I wonder if you took all the people who don’t’ care about our forests , and brought them here and let them sit and take in the beauty and glory of the environment, if they would still not care. Also, if you took all the people who want to build on land like this and put them out here and let them sit, too, if they would still want to build on such a wonderful place. In my opinion, I think they would change their minds, or at least become more environmentally friendly ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lake moves gently – revealing energy, life Pine cones are static – loneliness Clouds floating – self reliance Birds freedom – civil disobedience – (not being locked up in a cage) Snow on mountains – pure and sense of protection Boats sailing – sense of carefree (living life) Wind blowing tenaciously through the trees – free spirit Gray feathers – sense of individualism Green plants – creation of life Cold climate – rehabilitation, growth Forest – revealiance of home security. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- THE LAKE OF THE SKY This has got to be the most gorgeous lake I have ever seen. In some parts of the water you can see through it, and in some parts of it you can only see the most pure blue of them all. With the boat motors in the background, and the wave sounds overpowering that is one of the best places in the world. Now I can see why hey call this the Lake of the sky. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- I am sitting here with, perhaps, the most beautiful surroundings I’ve ever seen, and I can appreciate every second of it. But, my appreciation comes with a bittersweet feeling because I know the chances of a beautiful place staying still, unchanged by humans, is nearly impossible. In fact, as I write, a motorboat is riding across and lake, and I wonder – is there any place in this world we have haven’t destroyed? I may sound pessimistic, and I suppose I am, but there is one thing I am hopeful of – my generation. We, us, me, you, every person at this conference – we care, and I like to think that we will be the ones to turn this around – each others and teach our children to conserve what beauty we have left in this world, and fix what previous humans have corrupted. I wish people could come here and see the beauty – see what everyone is missing. Maybe then they could appreciate wildlife with a true wonder. I almost want to cry when I think this may soon all be gone, but I don’t give in yet because I do have faith in the people who sit here with me. Sarah Murray ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- The sounds of wildlife all around me. The textures of sand and pine needles. Two common textures I experience all the time. However, it’s in their integration at the beach of the great lake in which beauty is seen. Beauty of the unusual. This lake is not where the water meets the sky, this lake is where the trees meet the blue horizon. The only spoils of the calming and soothing sounds of the waves is the distant roar of boats on the horizon. Soon, slowing losing the battle between the pleasurable weekend, the eternal grace of the water laps against the banks as to fight the sounds of motors and engines. Sean Shagena ----------------------------------------- top of page -----------------------------------
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