'I was mocked and set up'

  • Kathleen Simpson Myron

    James C. Myron
 

Note: This article is a sidebar to this issue's feature story.

Kathleen (Kathi) Simpson Myron, an artist from Canby, Ore., joined the Trout Creek Mountain Working Group members in 1988 as a representative of Oregon Trout. She left the group in 1994.

"I got along fine until I became what they called a pushy broad who was advocating for the fish and native plants.

"When it came time for them to listen respectfully to me, I was mocked and set up. The history of Oregon has been racist, sexist and ambush. I was really foolish not to foresee what could happen. That's why I'm out - because I won't subject myself to that kind of abuse. They told me loud and clear they weren't going to listen to me.

"The group had some very strong misunderstandings about where my group loyalties should be. I was there as an Oregon Trout representative and as a conservationist, as a fish and water and natural world advocate, a child of the land. I never made any bones about that. It became an abusive situation. I came home on occasion feeling pretty hammered.

"We spent hundreds of hours discussing cattle feed and water needs. We didn't spend a tenth of that time, or even a hundredth, on fish.

"I'm grateful for change that is occurring in the right direction. But my assessment of Willow and Whitehorse creeks - the Lahontan stream systems - is those systems are operating at risk. I've heard time and time again what great shape the uplands are in. But I have walked those uplands and there are miles of steep slopes with rill erosion running down and degraded springs that have been developed for cattle. There are head-cuts all over that country. I was disappointed in the process because it did not address the cumulative effects of those areas of concern. That is what got minimized into nothing.

"We don't have the right to destroy something or have it operate at risk. If a storm hits the Trout Creek mountains - and they are an area known for severe storms - you'll have a blow-out and there's nothing to stop it. It is basically a crime to abuse the earth this way.

"I am very skeptical of grazing. I think what we're doing with cattle on public lands - and juniper clearing - is very similar to things that have gone on hundreds and even thousands of years ago in China, Afghanistan and the Fertile Crescent.

"What is success to me? It will take a number of years to get grandfather willow and aspen growing along streams, and no more bonsai mountain mahogany. Now, we've got spots of improvement.

"We tend to pat ourselves on the back too soon."

High Country News Classifieds
  • MATADOR RANCH MANAGER
    The Matador Ranch Manager directs operations, communication, and maintenance for TNC Montana's Matador Ranch preserve with a focus on ecological management and restoration, grazing management,...
  • EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR - THRIVE HOOD RIVER (OREGON)
    Thrive Hood River (Oregon) is looking for a collaborative leader who cares deeply about Hood River's wild places, farmland and the quality of life in...
  • NORTHERN NEW MEXICO PROJECT MANAGER
    Seeking qualified Northern New Mexico Project Manager to provide expertise, leadership and support to the organization by planning, cultivating, implementing and managing land conservation activities....
  • NORTH FORK RECREATION DISTRICT ADMINISTRATOR
    The NFPPRD District Administrator provides leadership and managerial services associated with the Recreation District. Facilities include a seasonal pool, ballfields, bike trails, tennis/pickleball and skateboarding....
  • EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, BADLANDS CONSERVATION ALLIANCE
    The Executive Director of the Badlands Conservation Alliance (BCA) builds and leads a premiere North Dakota advocacy group that serves to protect the ecology of...
  • CLIMATE FELLOW
    Application deadline: Monday, March 6th, 2023, at 5 p.m. MST. Anticipated start date: May 15, 2023 About the position Are you ready to craft an...
  • RISING LEADERS MANAGER
    Application deadline: Monday, March 27, 2023, at 5 p.m. MST Anticipated start date: May 22 or May 30, 2023 About the position Do you want...
  • SENIOR SPECIALIST, LANDSCAPE CONNECTIVITY YELLOWSTONE TO YUKON CONSERVATION INITIATIVE
    About the Organization Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative (Y2Y) is a joint Canada-U.S. not-for-profit organization with a mission to connect and protect wildlife habitat from...
  • VIRGINIA SPENCER DAVIS FELLOWSHIP
    High Country News, an award-winning magazine covering the communities and environment of the Western United States, seeks applicants for a Virginia Spencer Davis fellow. The...
  • GRANTS MANAGER
    The Grants Manager is a passionate information manager, fundraiser, and communicator versed in government and foundation grant and cooperative agreement writing and management, specifically to...
  • COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR
    The Communications Director is a passionate communications professional versed in conservation and regenerative agriculture, as well as nonprofit communications and data management across several program...
  • EDUCATION AND OUTREACH PROGRAM DIRECTOR
    The Education and Outreach Director is a people-oriented facilitator, communications wizard, and team leader who has experience designing, managing, and fundraising for land based educational...
  • ADOBE HOME FOR SALE
    Restored traditional adobe home in No. New Mexico on 1+ acre site, irrigation water, separate large shop/studio. Please email for photos/full description.
  • HIGH COUNTRY NEWS EDITORIAL INTERNS
    High Country News, an award-winning magazine covering the communities and environment of the Western United States, is looking for its next cohort of editorial interns....
  • DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM SPECIALIST
    hat We Can Achieve Together: If you are a detailed individual that takes pride in your accuracy, this position may be the perfect opportunity for...
  • EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR - LEMHI COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY (SALMON, IDAHO)
    Are you ready to take the reins at Lemhi County Humane Society and make a difference in the lives of countless animals? We are seeking...
  • ENVIRONMENTAL AND CONSTRUCTION GEOPHYSICS
    We characterize contaminated sites, identify buried drums, tanks, debris and also locate groundwater.
  • WESTERN NATIVE SEED
    Native plant seeds for the Western US. Trees, shrubs, grasses, wildflowers and regional mixes. Call or email for free price list. 719-942-3935. [email protected] or visit...
  • CEO BUFFALO NATIONS GRASSLANDS ALLIANCE
    Chief Executive Officer, Remote Exempt position for Buffalo Nations Grasslands Alliance is responsible for the planning and organization of BNGA's day-to-day operations
  • "PROFILES IN COURAGE: STANDING AGAINST THE WYOMING WIND"
    13 stories of extraordinary courage including HCN founder Tom Bell, PRBRC director Lynn Dickey, Liz Cheney, People of Heart Mountain, the Wind River Indian Reservation...