SARGENT PHILOSOPHY

The Cinnabar Foundation's first annual report covered the period from 1983 through 1986. In that document, Len Sargent laid out the Cinnabar philosophy. Looking back on that message, we find it hard to improve upon. We hope you will come to appreciate the vision of our founder. Writing from his ranch in Cinnabar Basin, his message connects Montana's conservation heritage with a prophesy for the future.

To the south of my window on this world, I can see a National Park that was created well over a century ago, with help from a relative of mine, Nathaniel P. Langford. The vision and wisdom that created it was the collective achievement of people who saw the consequences of unrestrained exploitation on a gorgeous virgin land.

We have learned in the last 115 years that designating lands and placing them under the government's custodial care is never really enough to preserve their values. Repeatedly in the history of this grand park, the people had to arouse themselves to action to see to its preservation. The same is true of our forests, our rivers, our wilderness and our wildlife.

While each of us is mortal, the horizon of Cinnabar is perpetuity. Sandy and I take great joy in the thought that a century from now some young crusader, with help from this foundation, will stand defiantly in defense of this land . . . and the grizzly and wolf will salute him from the north rim.

When Len wrote those words, there were no wolves on the north rim — there are now.

The Sargent Ranch in Cinnabar Basin