Oko Wikcemna Topa ake Wanji

Monday, Nov 30 to Sunday, Dec 6, 2015: high 48, low 2

Five years ago this week i was removing the old west line of the fence that encircled the Wingsprings facilities, thereby integrating the facilities and the springs into what we now call the Wingsprings Reserve. The reserve is approximately 64 acres that have not been grazed by domesticated animals for these past five years. In many ways this reserve is the natural library–the environmental library–here at Wingsprings. Just as our book library is a resource to study published accounts of American Indian histories and cultures, this natural library is a resource to study flora and fauna in their native environments. One of our challenges is to make this natural library more accessible; not necessarily in a physical sense, but more in an intellectual or philosophical way. The photo above from the archives shows how using a chain and the bobcat, the wood (and steel) posts of the old fence line were removed without too much physical exertion. Modern technology can sure make some things a whole lot easier.