Author Archives: Jack Elliott

Wolves, Grizzlies and the Howling Wilderness of Change, Santa Barbara National Forest: Race and Recognition In the Woods

Posted on July 10, 2020 by Jack Elliott

Sierra Madre Mountains, Cuyama, Santa Barbara County Chief Standing Bear of the Oglala Sioux once stated that his people “did not think of the great open plains, the beautiful rolling hills and the winding streams with their tangled growth as … Continue reading →

Posted in Santa Barbara | Tagged backcountry, Hispanic, History, Jacinto Damien Reyes, Los Padres National Forest, Native Americans, Race, Santa Barbara, Ventura, Wilderness, Wildlife | 6 Comments

The Myth Of Wilderness and Ethnocentrism: Race and Recognition In the Woods

Posted on July 2, 2020 by Jack Elliott

Los Padres National Forest, Santa Barbara County “The evidence strongly suggests that the prehistoric Indians’ effect on the environment can no longer be ignored by scientists and government agencies charged with stewardship of our natural resources.” M. Kat Anderson Tending … Continue reading →

Posted in Santa Barbara | Tagged Anthropology, backcountry, Chumash, Hiking, Los Padres National Forest, National Forest, Native Americans, Nature, Race, Wilderness, Writing | 9 Comments

Rename Los Padres National Forest? Race and Recognition In the Woods

Posted on June 29, 2020 by Jack Elliott

Should Los Padres National Forest be renamed? In the roiling social wake of the George Floyd killing, and the peaceful protests and the violence and destruction that erupted across these United States and the world, in this moment of national … Continue reading →

Posted in Santa Barbara | Tagged backcountry, Backpacking, Hiking, History, Indians, Los Padres National Forest, Native Americans, Race, Racism, Social Justice, Wilderness | 38 Comments

Petroglyph, Santa Ynez Mountains

Posted on June 21, 2020 by Jack Elliott

“The symbols of shamans were potentially dangerous because of their material spirituality connecting them to the sacred…The vulva itself was considered unusually perilous. For example, a Northern Paiute account indicates that the worst from of sorcery a man could endure … Continue reading →

Posted in Santa Barbara | Tagged Adventure, Archaeology, Hiking, Hiking (2), History, Los Padres National Forest, Native Americans, Nature, Petroglyphs, Santa Barbara, Santa Ynez Mountains | 10 Comments

Honeysuckle in the Highlands

Posted on June 16, 2020 by Jack Elliott

Honeysuckle in the woods of Scotland. “Wherever there is suddenly more light, flowering plants also try their luck, including honeysuckle. Using its tendrils, it makes its way up around the little trunks, always twining in a clockwise direction. By coiling … Continue reading →