to the op – i find stories like this dismaying and less and less isolated. i share your wife and your anger.
I’m learned respect for the outdoors from my dad. even talking to many people around age, (I’m 42), a basic understand of nature/wild life/the local countryside may as well be written in hieroglyphics. as for the younger generation, i can only guess its even more abstract.
the sad reality is that we are surrounded by many stupid folk. saying that always makes me feel horrible but its true – simple stuff like closing a gate behind you or taking your litter home is just a step too far, never mind generally respecting whatever you find out there… just because you could wreck something doesn’t mean its actually a good idea.
i studied sculpture at art school and won a scholarship to german in the late 90s. i was amazed a how much you could get away with, in regards to public art. fragile or dangerous works were left alone as people simple knew to not go near. meanwhile returning back to scotland, the christmas tree at the foot of leith walk only have lights on the top quarter of the tree because folk steal or smash the bulbs. one of these small things that stick in my mind.
i sound like my dad now, no wonder i hide out in the country…