CANYON CREATION
Our private nonprofit
organization oversees the sale of educational materials within Grand Canyon National Park. An article in the March/April Sierra mentioned the creationist book Grand Canyon: A Different View ("Lay of the Land," page 12). This title was approved as "Inspirational." It was never, as you claimed, in a science section. We have carried many other divergent viewpoints, including diaries of early explorers, which postulated theories on canyon formation that do not stand up to
current scientific standards. As educators, we believe in encouraging
people to learn more about a subject and draw their own conclusions. Brad L. Wallis, Executive Director
Grand Canyon Association
"Lay of the Land" opens with concern about religion getting mixed up with environmental issues. Yet "Last Words" in the same issue closes with this
comment from John Muir: "God has cared for these trees, saved them from drought, disease, avalanches, and a thousand straining, leveling tempests and floods; but he cannot save them from fools." Muir was perhaps not as disturbed as his club was by the discussion of religion and God? Richard E. Carter
St. Paul, Minnesota
STARSTRUCK?
You've talked about reaching out to other groups. But then you describe a Sierra Club lawsuit against telescopes on Mauna Kea in Hawaii ("The Sierra Club Bulletin," March/April, page 67). My wife and I are amateur astronomers as well as Sierra Club members. We like the idea of humanity learning the most it can about the universe. Please don't force us to choose between environmentalism and science. Pete James
Plymouth, Minnesota
AND THE ANSWERS ARE...
The answers to the "Do You Know Nature?" contest in our March/ April issue can now be revealed: 1. Musk ox herds protect themselves by forming a circle or semicircle with their horns facing outward. 2. The puffin's primary avian predator is the great black-backed gull. 3. Of humpbacks, the male is the more prolific crooner. 4. The roseate spoonbill's feeding style is called "head-swinging," in which the bird moves its bill back and forth underwater to snag small animals.
5. A black bear doesn't have the grizzly's telltale hump above its shoulders. Its face appears long and straight, while the grizzly has a large, round head with a concave facial profile.
Three winners were chosen in a random drawing of correct entries. They have already been notified. For their names, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to Sierra. Thanks to our generous sponsors: Eureka!, Garmont, Kokatat, New England Natural Bakers, Tender, Thorlo, and Sierra Club Outings.
CORRECTIONS
A "Let's Talk" review in the March/April issue stated that Kansas is "one
of the poorest states in the country." Per-capita personal income in the state is actually a little below the national average. Also in March/April, "Thirty-Hour Valley" misstated the size of New Mexico's Raton Basin. It is 2.6 million acres. Finally, in "Whale Tales" , we forgot to mention this important rule: To avoid harassing humpbacks, stay 100 yards away.
CONTACT US: We welcome letters in response to recent articles. Letters may be edited for length and clarity. Write to us at 85 Second St., 2nd Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105-3459; fax (415) 977-5794; e-mail sierra.letters@sierraclub.org.
