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Original 24 Foot MURAL at the SHELDON MUSEUM - Haines, Alaska.
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as Father of the Modern National Parks and Conservation Movements the largest and finest International Parks & U.N. WORLD HERITAGE WILDERNESS PRESERVES system in the world |
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Click on underlined text and place names to jump to written information and Muir's descriptions. |
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*** World Heritage Sites *** - Glacier Bay - Tatshenshini/Alsek - Kluane - Wrangell/St.Elias |
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| --------------- Sitka ------------- Elfin Cove- - Gustavus - Bartlett Cove ---------- ----------- Haines Junction - - Denali N.P. | ||||
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| Tracy Arm - Taku Inlet - Juneau -- ----- Lynn Canal Fjord ----- -- HAINES -- -- Skagway | ||||
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The Coast of Alaska, top cruise ship destination in the World. Original 24 Foot MURAL at the SHELDON MUSEUM - Haines, Alaska. |
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Wrangell Petersburg |
Haines, Alaska's John Muir Association
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Klondike Gold Rush Park |
| John Muir's "Voyages of Discovery" S.E. Alaska 1879 and 1880 |
Muir first came to Alaska by steamship in both 1879 and 1880 to pursue scientific nature studies. Each summer Muir and his new found Presbyterian missionary friend S. Hall Young accompanied by Tlingit Indian guides launched extensive "voyages of discovery" in a 30' native canoe. Highly efficient under paddle and very fast under twin sails this mode of transport allowed the party to safely and quickly cover great distances and explore both the vast and intimate places which Muir and his successors would make world famous. They easily navigated deep into the awe inspiring narrow glacier carved channels of Tracy and Endicott Arm and Ford's Terror which had eluded detection and charting by even the great Captain Cook. Muir's most majestic "discovery" was Glacier Bay whose main glacier had only recently receded opening the Bay to navigation and exploration. He mapped the Bay for the U.S. Government and its main tidewater glacier was named after him. He studied and reported on the abundant resources of the region and his observations on the Tlingit Indians and emerging White society were very insightful.
Muir's fondness and respect for the Indians culminated in his "Brotherhood of Man" speech to the greatest of the Tlingit Tribes, the overlords of the vast regions of Tlingit domination, probably at the Yendestakyeh Village Site near modern Haines. At the invitation of the Tlingits, the charismatic Muir and Missionary Young took turns preaching and after three days they were given approval for the Presbyterians to establish a Mission School and Church in the area. The Tlingits initially thought Muir was to be the teacher and minister. Thus the White community of Haines was born.
Muir's numerous epiphany experiences while exploring in Alaska are powerfully documented in his writings. They were an important source of the inspiration for his monumental achievements later in life which have elevated him to "patron saint" of the modern conservation movement. |
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| Tributes to John Muir From Those Who Knew Him SOURCE: http://www.sierraclub.org/john_muir_exhibit/ |
His was a dauntless soul... he the author to whom all men turn when they think of the Sierras and Northern glaciers... he was also - what few nature-lovers are - a man able to influence contemporary thought and action... He was a great factor in influencing the thought of... the entire country so as to secure the preservation of those great natural phenomena...Our generation owes much to John Muir. |
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To few men was it given to realize so completely the elements of eternity... as it was to John Muir. The secret of it all was in his soul, the soul of a child, of a poet, and of a strong man, all blended into one... Among those who have won title to remembrance as prophets and interpreters of nature he rises to a moral as well as poetical altitude that will command the admiring attention of men so long as human records shall endure. |
Muir's public services were not merely scientific and literary. His countrymen owe him gratitude as the pioneer of our system of national parks. Out of the fight which he led for the better care of the Yosemite by the State of California grew the demand for the extension of the system. To this many persons and organizations contributed, but Muir's writings and enthusiasm were the chief forces that inspired the movement. All the other torches were lighted from his. |
| International Parks and U.N. World Heritage System
The following four International Parks form a vast U.N. World Heritage Wilderness Preserves Site |
At 25 million acres (approximately the size of the state of Maine in the US), this world heritage site is one of the largest protected areas in the world. A program of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the World Heritage Program represents a collection of sites of exceptional interest and universal value to all mankind. The World Heritage Convention has been ratified by some 147 nations, and recognizes those sites of "outstanding universal value" to all the citizens of the world, not just the countries in which they may be located. The convention conducts business through a World Heritage Committee, consisting of 21 nations elected by the State Parties to the World Heritage Convention. By ratifying the Convention, a government voluntarily agrees to protect, and preserve world heritage sites.
To be inscribed as a World Heritage Site, an area must meet several criteria which define "outstanding universal value." As acknowledged by the Committee.
Immediately westward is the majestic Alaska Range with the great Denali National Park (U.S) including Mt. Denali the highest peak in North America and a vast "Serengeti-like" wildlife range. |
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