Solastalgia

Solastalgia is an interesting term that I believe can connect with everyone and anyone in some way. Most people seem to have pride in some sort of geographic, whether its their hometown, a common place of vacation or retreat, or an occasional yet meaningful visit to a place seldom gone to. For me, I could say I have such pride in places like Nephi, Utah, American Fork canyon, or Kisumu, Kenya! Each of these places are unique in and of themselves, and unique to me as well! For example, Nephi lies in a valley surrounded by mountains that always seem to be towering over you and enclosed by large fields on every side, constantly giving you the feeling of warm small-town home; while the shores of Homa Bay (Kisumu, Kenya) are back-dropped by massive hills of forest-green trees and ever present storms. The last place and the place of choice for me, is American Fork canyon. Obviously, the name refers to much of the environment around this place that’s special to me. Surrounded by steeps mountain walls and carved down by water, the canyon is a prime place to relax, meditate, enjoy family and friends and much more.

In each of these places, the environment around them is crucial to the feel they give. If something were to happen (and things have in the past) to the environment surrounding the mountains of American Fork canyon, lots of what I love could be destroyed. The extreme heat of Utah in the summer time, mixed with the drier-than-bones-land we have, creates an easy breeding ground for fires. Nephi canyon, another place close to my heart, especially as a young boy, was defaced by a massive fire years ago that left everything black and dead. It wasn’t until recently that we decided to go back and camp like we used to because the fire's toll required years for the landscape to somewhat recover! Similarly, American Fork canyon has had some close calls, as fires have encircled it before many times. Another potential problem involved with climate change and heat increases could have to do with the aesthetics of the canyon as well. In recent years, less and less snow seams to fall and catch on not only the valley but mountains of the Wasatch area. Other than loving the look of the snow-capped summits, less snow also means less run-off, which in turn could affect the valley of the canyon as to the vegetation and wildlife that runs through its depths.

At any rate, because these places are special to me, I care about what goes on and happens to them as time moves forward. If something extreme enough were to happen to the canyon to prohibit me from going there again for some time, that would be as if you were taking away potential memories to be made for me because I have made so many made there already! In the future I hope to some day provide the same opportunity for my own children to find peace and enjoyment like I have in the natural canvas of the canyon and that goes to say that it must be maintained for future generations beyond that of my own. Fires, pollution, drought or any other problem that would cause this special place to become anything less than it is would be hard to face, as the sub-par circumstance would only revert my thinking to “what it used to be” or “what it could have been?” In conclusion, recognizing some of the problems I have seen myself and sharing them only makes me want to contribute in the small means I can to do my part to make sure I preserve a place which has been so special to me.