Enos Mills has been described as “a citizen of nature by birthright and persuasion” by writer and
well-known Colorado mountaineer Alexander Drummond. As Mr. Drummond has famous,
“Nature commanded his allegiance not via its immutable legal guidelines, however via what he noticed as
its innate aesthetic and ethical attraction.”
Born in Kansas in 1870, Mr. Mills moved to Colorado in 1884 on the age of 14. It might be
not possible to think about what might need occurred to the majestic Estes Valley and surrounding
lands had Mr. Mills not moved to Colorado and brought up the hassle to determine Rocky Mountain
Nationwide Park.
Nonetheless, what may be mentioned is that the legacy he left all of us – and all future generations – within the
type of a nationwide park in our yard, can solely be thought to be considered one of Colorado’s best
achievements.
Now, greater than 100 years after Mr. Mills’ loss of life, the legacy he left within the type of land protected
perpetually is extra vital than it has ever been. The park itself and the majesty of the
surrounding Estes Valley that lies simply east of the park are geographic jewels which have touched
all who’ve ever set foot on this fantastic space.
That mentioned, to be able to flourish, legacies have to be nurtured and guarded in order that they proceed to
profit all who love – and sooner or later will love – this particular place. The Estes Valley Land
Belief (EVLT), which was established in 1987 to guard each private and non-private lands via
conservation easements, has labored within the spirit of defending the “inheritance” now we have all
benefited from as the results of Mr. Mills’ foresight.
I’m significantly reminded of this following the latest announcement that greater than 160 acres
of forests, streams, and beaver ponds as soon as owned by a member of the Mills household have been
protected via an amended conservation easement with EVLT. This land can be left as it’s
perpetually, accordingly offering a house for animals and all of nature that resides on this parcel.
Whereas not as monumental in dimension and scope as institution of the nationwide park, this land’s
safety was impressed by Mr. Mills’ respect for nature.
Remembering and respecting legacies inform us a lot about the place we’re from. Defending legacies
in the present day tells us a lot about the place we are going to journey sooner or later and what we, in addition to the unique
creator of the legacy, will go away behind for others.
It’s revealing to think about Mr. Mills’ personal affection for nature: “The path compels you to know
your self and to be your self and places in you concord with the universe. It makes you glad to be
residing. It provides well being, hope, and braveness, and it extends that contact of nature which tends to make
you type.”
These phrases are without delay inspiring and in addition to full of accountability for future generations
that can carry his legacy ahead. The Estes Valley Land Belief is dedicated to carrying on in
remembrance of this nice man, working to make sure that his legacy is protected in the present day, tomorrow,
and perpetually.
That is the second article in a three-part collection that covers the Estes Valley Land Belief’s
Childers Conservation Easement reference to the Mills household and the beaver colony that
as soon as thrived within the Tahosa Valley. Based in 1987 by Estes Park residents, the Estes Valley Land Belief is a nationally acknowledged land conservation group that has preserved almost 10,000 acres of land and a number of the most iconic landscapes within the Estes Valley. Please take into account turning into a member of the land belief by becoming a member of at www.evlandtrust.org/donate.