Our good friend Kahlee has been traveling all over California this spring photographing the amazing wildflower bloom that’s taking place. She has taken some awesome photos of the flowers, but unfortunately, she has also saw the destruction of these flowers by people who have no respect for them or respect for others who would like to enjoy the flowers in the future.
In response to this, Kahlee has created the Wildflower Conservancy. The goal of the Wildflower Conservancy is “to bring awareness through education to the importance of preserving and protecting our wildflowers as we actively and respectfully enjoy them in their native habitats.”
Kahlee has given me permission to post her Guidelines for Responsible Wildflower Enjoyment here on SierraVisions. I thank her for that and hope that her work makes a difference.
Guidelines for Responsible Wildflower Enjoyment
Copyright Kahlee Brighton
Some of these should be obvious, but may bear restating for a few people who need a friendly reminder:
- Don’t pick wildflowers. Not only is it illegal in most cases, it will diminish that year’s crop of seeds, lessening the chance of future generations of blooms in that location.
- Stay on designated trails. Do not create your own, especially by trampling through an area of lesser blooms to get to what you perceive is prime territory. If you are determined to go into the actual flower displays (and again, this is highly discouraged), please minimize further damage by walking only in the footsteps of those who have trampled before you.
- Respect private property by staying on the public side of the fence. Also, be aware that a fence doesn’t always mark the true boundaries of the property. Fence placement is often arbitrary and dictated by the natural environment. The property actually may extend beyond the fence or may not be fenced at all. Whenever you’re in an area that is not clearly set aside for public use, assume it’s private and be respectful.
- Watch where you park. Preferably, park only in designated areas. At a minimum, be sure you’re in a safe area to pull over and your car is completely off the road.
- Don’t picnic in the middle of the flower fields. That quilt or blanket that makes you comfortable may obliterate the flowers and other vegetation underneath.
- Notes for Photographers:
- If you’re a photographer, be careful when composing your shots and avoid destroying flowers and vegetation with your equipment.
- Being in a professional photography workshop does not entitle you to special privileges or trespassing unless the leader has permission of the property owners. Even so, have respect for those who are there on their own.
- Don’t sit, lie down or otherwise mangle the flowers to get a better photograph. Minimize the damage you cause as much as possible.
- Don’t set up your tripod in the road, in the middle of a hiking trail or walking path, such that you block traffic — vehicular or human.
- Don’t leave anything behind. Dispose of all trash including leftover food, packaging, diapers, etc., in appropriate bins or pack it out with you.
It is often said, “Take only memories or photographs; Leave only footprints…” I would amend that to say,
“Take only memories or photographs;
and try not to leave any footprints in the flowers…”
Thank you so much for your efforts to protect and preserve our beautiful wildflowers!
Links to Kahlee’s work:
