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The constitutional amendment that you will be voting on this year could be a matter of life or death. During a sudden recession, funds diverted to cover shortfalls can kill essential programs. We must not allow this to happen because it could threaten future generations of wildlife and people.
There is a real danger that some folks might forget to mark their ballots in the constitutional amendment portion, or might decide not to check the “yes” box due to confusion over the wording. Failing to mark the “yes” box counts as a vote against the Amendment. So be sure to remember to check the “yes” box.
Every Minnesotan should be aware of what is at stake: The health of our environment and the future well-being of our children. This is not another stealth tax. It is dedicated to something that we feel is very important, natural resource conservation and the arts.
Cave paintings and carvings created thousands of years ago, at the dawn of human culture, show that artistic expression was inspired by nature. Today, nature painting and photography, as well as many other arts and crafts, continue to be popular, and wildlife art is being used specifically to inspire and finance conservation.
The annual duck stamp competition is a good example of this growing interdependence between artists and conservationists. Lucky young artists have achieved sudden fame and fortune, while the sale of their work on duck stamps has helped pay for the protection of wetland habitats. But this is just part of the work to be done.
Can conservation work continue in uncertain times without stable funding? Can children love nature without art, or art without nature? Each of us will have a chance to answer and decide Nov. 4.
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