On any journey through unfamiliar terrain the experienced traveler checks the map early and often. On extended sojourns, especially those through lands that change in appearance but gradually, the re-checking of the plan grows less reflexive. The novice traveler may keep the map in the backpack and walk without thinking, only to find too late that the trail branched subtly many miles back. Had the map been consulted more regularly the retracing of steps would not have been necessary.

In the long walk that is public policy for environmental protection, particularly policy made to address the contamination of land and water by the acts of humankind, the first steps were taken in the 1970s and 80s. The map at the time was drawn in reflection of a pressing need for protection of the commons. American rivers were on fire, Love Canal was purchased by its municipality for development as a school, the entire town of Times Beach was evacuated after the discovery of pervasive dioxin contamination—the course the first part of the walk would take was clear. ...

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