We Must Protect Parks From Graffiti, Pollution

I was disheartened to read “Trashing the Angeles National Forest” (Sept. 10) in the Valley Perspective section. I wish that someone would please explain to me why our local people in Southern California have no appreciation for the wilderness. Do these people who litter and write graffiti and pollute our national treasures treat their own homes in such a manner?

My wife and I recently returned from a week in British Columbia, and our experience with the beauty and cleanliness of their national and provincial parks was a very positive one. There was no trash, no graffiti, and there were ample numbers of forest rangers, as well as trash and recycling receptacles.

Obviously, our governments in Sacramento and Washington have neglected their responsibility to preserve and fund our own parks, but there is still the human element. The people and visitors to Canada’s parks are no different than we, yet somehow they have managed to maintain a beautiful, pristine wilderness in their parks. Can’t we do the same?

I suggest that everyone entering our parks should carry a trash bag--not only for their own trash, but to fill it with the trash that already exists. Teach our children early on to appreciate the wilderness or we will lose our national treasures to neglect.

TODD WEST

Tarzana