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Letters to the Editor, Feb. 10 Friday Feb 10, 2017 at 12:01 AM Teachers go the extra mile I wanted to give a public thank you to several of the teachers from Ashland Middle School who led their team to the Regional Science Bowl in Portland this past weekend. Jennifer Craugh, Hillary Harper and Abdi Guled were instrumental in supporting a group of 15 students this last weekend as they competed with students throughout the Pacific Northwest. They facilitated organizing this team and meeting with students throughout the fall and winter to prepare and practice for this competition. I feel fortunate that we are in a school district that supports the students and teachers in activities in what should be described as academic varsity sports, such as science bowl, brain bowl, battle of the books, debate team and robotics. A sincere thank you. Mona McArdle Ashland Excited about expansion Representing the Rogue Valley Audubon Society Board of Directors and about 1,000 local members, we would like to express our excitement for the recent expansion of the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument. Our members spend much time here; frequently visit the forests, meadows, and creekside habitat to observe birds and other wildlife year-round. We are especially glad to see protections for sensitive mountain birds like great gray owls, white-headed woodpecker, mountain chickadee and red breasted nuthatches. Protections such as those afforded by monument designation are increasingly important in the face of climate change, encroaching development and global declines in biodiversity. The Cascade-Siskiyou serves as one of the most vital biological crossroads of western North America. This expansion, based on recommendations of scientists experienced in the region, will enhance the monument’s ecological integrity at this critical time. Furthermore, we worry about congressional threats of selling off our public lands. Handing off our shared public lands for private interests can cut off access for many for the benefit of a few. We urge our local elected officials to stand with their public lands, to do what is right, and ensure that no one steals this great public asset from our children. Linda Kreisman, president, Rogue Valley Audubon Society Board of Directors Ashland