Make America Wild Again

“Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul alike.”

So penned naturalist John Muir in his book The Yosemite. In the mid-1800’s, Muir lived in a still-wild America. People of all ages spent time outside just for the sheer enjoyment of it. During his lifetime and partly because of his influence, the National Park Service was born. His love for nature became the theme of his writings, and his legacy has inspired millions to savor the grandeur of the great outdoors. While I wouldn’t recommend going to Muir for theology, I would whole-heartedly recommend taking his advice to get outside. God made nature for us to enjoy, and that can’t happen if we never peel ourselves out of our recliners.

Riding Alone into the Sunset

Recently I was out riding my bike through the nature center in my neighborhood. It was a gorgeous evening—mild temperature, pretty sunset, deer timidly grazing in the weeds, geese roosting near the pond. The air was still, and the bugs were minimal. It was the perfect evening for a bike ride, a stroll with the dog, or a romp with the kids. As I pedaled under a canopy of leaves and out into the vivid pink of the sunset sky, do you know what I was thinking? 

“Where is everybody?”

One Perk of a Pandemic

2020 wasn’t a stellar year. You know that. You were there. Most aspects of society suffered as a result of the virus. But I can think of one benefit: there were a lot more people outside. I remember walking through the very same nature center last spring, and it was teeming with people! I had no idea so many people in our neighborhood had dogs…or kids, for that matter. People came out in droves because, well, there was nothing else to do.

Kids were burnt out on screens because everything, including school, had gone virtual. Adults were burnt out on screens because many were working remotely. And, frankly, many families were probably pretty burnt out on each other, too. The great outdoors offered a change of scenery, some fresh air, and a little more elbow room. Whatever the motive, people were outside enjoying nature, and it made my heart happy. 

The True Opiate of the Masses

But things are back to normal now, and when it comes to time spent outdoors, that’s not necessarily a good thing. Most people just don’t seem interested in coming outside. As I walk or bike through my neighborhood in the evening, I can see into people’s front windows. Don’t worry; I’m not creeping. Not much is visible from the road, but there’s one thing I notice about almost every house: the TV is on. 

The blue light of mammoth flat screens floods the living rooms and glares out into the street. Basketball games, action movies, reality TV, infomercials, and other drivel numbs the American mind after a long day. Hey, I can relate to the desire to decompress. After my kids go to bed, I want to check out for a while. Sometimes I do end up sitting inside and loafing on the sofa. But do you know what I never regret doing instead? Going outside to enjoy the evening itself. 

A Sight Worth Seeing

In the evening, God is just showing off. He makes the temperature perfect. He swirls pastels along the horizon. He send the little creatures out of hiding. He ever-so-gradually turns up the shine on the stars. He puts music into the hearts of crickets and peeper frogs. And then he waits for us to come out and enjoy the show. Sadly, he often waits in vain. 

To be fair, not everyone stays inside. I see some families strolling through my neighborhood after dinner. There are a handful of moms who push strollers down my street pretty often. There’s even an old guy who walks his two little dogs just so they can pee on my mailbox every. single. day. These people make me happy. (Aside from the pee, which I could do without.) There’s a wonderful world just outside our front doors, and we’re missing it. We could be so much happier, healthier, and more at peace.

Last Child in the Woods

I recently read a book called Last Child in the Woods. Even though it was nonfiction, the concept gripped me. Having grown up outside, I’ve often worried that my kids may not get the same privilege because of location, safety, or lack of opportunity. This book assured me that my concern is more than valid—it’s reality for millions of American kids today. Many parents aren’t making an effort to get outside themselves, and their kids are following suit. 

This loss of time outdoors leads to what author Richard Louv calls Nature Deficit Disorder. He’s not being ironic or clever; he’s giving a name to a real set of symptoms that come, a least in part, from a lack of time spent in nature. While I didn’t agree with some of his content, I did find the book helpful as a wakeup call. Spending time in nature should come—well, naturally to us and to our children. If it doesn’t, then it may be time for a change of habit. 

John Muir’s America

When John Muir was a young man, he walked 1,000 miles from Illinois to the Gulf of Mexico so he could be closer to nature. He continued his journey by boat to several islands and back up to California, where he fell in love with Yosemite. For years he lived amongst the trees, meadows, and mountains, experiencing every kind of season, weather, animal, plant, and view the land had to offer. He was instrumental in making Yosemite one of the first national parks, and he published copious essays and books to help others enjoy and preserve the land he loved so much. Without him, we wouldn’t have the same America we enjoy today. 

You and I probably won’t leave a legacy like John Muir’s, and that’s all right. But each of us can make small decisions that lead to big changes for ourselves and our children. We can start by turning off the TV, computer, and phone notifications and going outside. We can make a habit of walking or biking together. We can encourage our kids to play outside every day. We can even start socking away money for a family trip to a national park. Our kids will mirror our enjoyment of nature, and it will benefit them all their lives. 

The change may not be easy, but together we can make America wild again.