***Originally posted 3/25/19 on @publiclandshateyou***
Enough doom and gloom. I want to share some positive inspiration. These photos all show people responsibly enjoying the wildflower fields. These people appear to be having fun. The photos are beautiful. Thousands of people like the photos. And, GASP, they are still 100% on the trail!!!! Many people have responded to polite education about staying on the trail by saying things like “It’s #photoshopped” – “It’s a good camera angle” - “I’m actually on a trail, you just can’t see it” – “I was reallllly careful not to step on the flowers” – “Read the caption you illiterate, degenerate, scumbag, it says #nopoppieswereharmed”, etc etc.
The fact is, it doesn’t matter. If your followers can’t see that you are on an official trail, what is your picture leading them to believe? Is it suggesting that its ok to walk through undisturbed wildflower fields? What about your followers who don’t have Photoshop but want the same great photo? What do you think they are going to do to get the shot? Is it really that much of a stretch to believe that they might say “f*ck it” and quickly lie down in the flowers with their selfie stick while they think no one is looking? Bottom line, we are ALL influencers. Whether we influence one person, 100 people, or 18 million people (I’m looking at you @youtube). Your actions and what you share with others do have an impact on how other people act. We owe it to ourselves, our friends, and our families to act in a way that promotes good behavior and will help preserve our public lands for everyone’s enjoyment, now and generations down the line. Remember, actions speak louder than words. ***Also, if I see one more “call me big poppy” caption, I'm gonna puke.*** #actionsspeaklouderthanwords#stayonthetrail #leavenotrace #lowimpact#poppy #protectourfuture #walkercanyon#walkercanyonpoppyfields #lakeelsinore#sustainableuse#bethechangeyouwanttoseeintheworld#bethechange #postivereinforcement#dogood #education #bekind #influencer#goodinfluence #good#responsiblebehavior #wildflowers#yourpubliclands #ourpubliclands#protectyourpubliclands#protectyourfuture #youmakeadifference