Renewal is all around us.  Not only the renewal that happens every spring, but the long-term renewal of the park.  Forest fires are essential for the health and life of the park.  The lodgepole pine, for instance, grows very tall, blocking out the light below creating a dense, dark forest.  It needs to be cleared out on a regular basis so that other life can thrive under its canopy.  The lodgepole pine prepares itself for the future. Lodgepole pines have two different types of pinecones; one is a “regular pinecone” the other only opens when exposed to the intense heat of a forest fire.  It is designed to help repopulate the forest after a blaze.

Last fall we were here at the beginnings of the major fire last year, the Arnica fire.  As with many major fires in Yellowstone, the only thing that extinguishes it is the coming of the winter snows;  other than that, it is managed to protect life and property.  The fires of 1988 destroyed more than 30% of the park, and the evidence is still all around you—but the park is renewing itself.
We went past the Arnica burn two days ago–and have vowed to return every few weeks to track the changes.  We will be sharing those images with you.  As I think about renewal I also think about my new colleagues; so many of them are here looking for change; I get the feeling that, for many of them, however, they are running away from something rather than running towards something.  I wonder what forest fire has happened in their own lives and how they will be able to renew themselves, just as the forest renews.

I also think about the friends I have at home and the “forest fire” they are going through.  I know that they will be able to renew themselves.  They are an amazing group of people; I miss the daily challenges of working with them and hope that they know that I think of them often.