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Smithsonian Folkways Recordings




Inspirations from the Forest
 


  
Introduction
Artistic Inspirations
Telling a Story
   Poetry
   Art
   Music
Passing it On
Conservation
Next Steps
Exhibition Schedule

 

Related Links
Watch Keith Bear perform "Morning Song"
Pat York Hear Pat
York sing "Children of the Forest"

 

The Fiddlin' Foresters, from Colorado and Wyoming. Photo by Jillian Foley, Smithsonian Institution.
The sounds and stories of the forest are captured in the melodies and lyrics of musicians who encourage preservation by vocalizing respect for natural landscapes.

Riders in the Dirt, from Oregon. Photo by Ginevra Portlock, Smithsonian Institution.
Musicians such as the Fiddlin' Foresters and firefighter Patrick Michael Karnahan infuse messages of environmental conservation and stewardship into their songs. The Fiddlin' Foresters' "In the Long Run" and Karnahan's "The Ballad of John Muir" promote land preservation and recount the history of the
conservation movement.

Chuck Milner, from Oklahoma. Photo by Anthony Cross, Smithsonian Institution. Patrick Michael Karnahan, from California. Photo by Harold Dorwin, Smithsonian Institution. Cindy Carpenter, from North Carolina. Photo by Anthony Cross, Smithsonian Institution.

The songs composed by cowboy singer and range specialist Chuck Milner are inspired by the grasslands on which he lives and works. "We don't believe that we own the land; we believe that we're taking care of it for the next generation."

Rita Cantú, from Arizona, and Pat York, from Illinois. Photo by Francisco Valenzuela.
Similarly, Rita Cantú, Cindy Carpenter, Keith Bear, and the Riders in the Dirt band sing about their love for the land, believing that once people make the connection to the natural environment, they will be motivated to protect it. Cantú explains, "It's not enough just to manage our natural resources. The essential piece is to capture people's interest through stories and art."

Pat York writes songs that connect people to the natural resources in their communities. "To me that's a real strong tie. I rejuvenate my spirit through song or in the forest or both, and I try to share that story with others."


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