Ecological Rescue

Every so often, when Rural Ways is walking in the hills, we will bring home a native plant to try growing it at The Homestead. Yesterday, I found a small pinyon pine growing in the berm pushed up by a grader working the road in Dry Canyon. The pinyon is now in the ground at The Homestead. By the letter of the law, this is probably not correct. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has responsibility for that particular piece of ground and they undoubtedly require a permit for live plant removal. I did not have a permit. My justification is that plants growing on the City of Parowan's pipeline right-of-way, which this one was, are not managed or protected by the BLM. They are, in fact, unwanted. The City maintains its road and pipeline by digging, grading, cutting, and driving. Plants growing on the pipeline are subject to destruction at any time. So, by bring home a sprout, I am engaging in ecological rescue. How heroic!