Conserving the Future: Wildlife Refuges and the Next Generation

We must make the communication of environmental sustainability, a high priority for the Refuge System and the Service.
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I appreciate the draft vision document and discussions in the Relevancy to a Changing America forum. I read with admiration Brian Czech and Brian McCaffery’s thought-provoking commentary – if only all employees had such passion for our work! But in all families there are differing opinions. I find mine pointing to another direction, in one respect an almost opposite direction.

In my mind, the purpose of this vision exercise is to boldly dream of the way we want things to be in a decade, even beyond, while respectfully indulging the dreams of others. Of course our thinking must be within the bounds of legal mandates but laws are written in a way to allow an agency the flexibility to adapt to future challenges and change strategies over time.

With that said, I think we strike closer to the real problem for conservation, management and restoration of fish, wildlife and their habitats when our leadership and organization acknowledges, as many professionals throughout the world have, that most ecological or environmental problems are basically social and behavioral problems of people.

Over fifty years ago conservation leaders outside the agency spoke to the heart of the matter. Leopold implored society to develop a land ethic. Olaus Murie, one of the founders of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, felt the refuge was emblematic of, “The real problem of what the human species is to do with this Earth.” Even well before then, Chief Seattle, reminded us that “Man did not weave the web of life, he is merely a strand in it. Whatever he does to the web he does to himself.”

The guiding principle of the Refuge System is founded in Leopold’s land ethic. What agency has more interest in a society that embraces this ethic? Leopold would be happy to know his advice guides Refuge System decisions but we must surely recognize that he meant for society to change their behaviors – not just conservationists. If the consensus is that society’s unsustainable choices are the root cause of most of our conservation challenges, should that not be where we focus our efforts?

The time to act is now. Given the prediction that our country will become less connected to nature, more urban, and agency funding will decline it is time for the world’s top conservation organization to question business as usual. We must be proactive while we mitigate and adapt. In doing so we should work with the thousands of philosophers, economists and psychologists already working on this topic to understand how to foster a shift in society’s values, attitudes and beliefs – a shift toward an environmentally-sustainable nation. We must make the communication of environmental sustainability, a high priority for the Refuge System and the Service.

And I reject the notion that being proactive through communications about environmental sustainability is mission creep or beyond what federal governments should do. What is proposed is simply a strategy to fulfill our legal mandates. We can examine what the National Park Service and other agencies are saying and doing on the subject, and for a fresh example we can look to the Service’s “engagement” response to climate change. In fact, this is not really a new idea at all – our guiding principle, developed over ten years ago, says we will seek to instill a land ethic in others.

Yet I understand the discomfort with what is proposed. I have mentally struggled with addressing this issue for much of my career as I’m sure many have. Discussing people’s behaviors and their effects on the environment, outside a refuge, is sensitive business and our agency has traditionally avoided the topic. But land ethic-centered education and outreach are within our mandate and need not be confrontational or avoided.

When will the time be right for the Service to publicly, and repeatedly, explain the need for a land ethic not just make the case for another acre of habitat? When will we inspire people to believe that a healthy planet and prosperity are not mutually exclusive? That our children can have a secure and comfortable future and clean air, water and healthy fish and wildlife?

In summary, for too long the Service and the Refuge System has reacted to conservation problems while watching society race after an ever-higher standard of living with mounting environmental impacts. Let’s get started. Let’s be afraid of doing too little too late. Leaders and participants of the Conserving the Future conference need to give serious thought to this issue and consider a recommendation to “Make the communication of environmental sustainability, a high priority for the Refuge System and the Service.”

That is part of my vision for the Service and Refuge System and I know I’m not alone. At this time I don’t know all the mechanics of achieving it and I have no delusions about the challenges. But it is time for us to discard the island mentality, in line with landscape conservation cooperatives, and dream of a country where economists and policy makers embrace Leopold’s land ethic and the majority of Americans demand it. What better time and fitting place for such a dream. And in the coming decade we will work with others to put the foundations under it.

In Response to Joanna Webbs Comments:

The “developing an ecological conscience in all Americans” concept is a difficult one to think about, but let me note that It isn’t meant to replace providing interpretation.

The idea of “ecological conscience” is separate from interpretation. The idea behind this concept is that humans have lost their connection to nature. The world is urbanizing at an alarming rate. People are out of touch with the natural world. The younger generation is loosing their understanding and awareness that humans NEED nature and NEED a healthy earth to live healthy lives.

I have to tell you, I have been the one really, really pushing to keep this idea in the document. I think it is absolutely the most crucial step FWS can take to ensure a future where people will care about the refuge system.

Essentially, I am arguing that FWS MUST push a “land ethic”……and NOW. This is URGENT. Leopold was right. Humanity needs a land ethic and until we get it right…we stand to loose all we have been working for, and more than we can imagine.

I know the idea is unpopular, yet it weighs so heavy on my heart, if only, if only, if only we can get this one thing right….I know we can look to the future with hope. Working to develop an ecological conscience or awareness in people isn’t just a good thing…it is the essential key stone if you will, of what we should be doing. It makes sense. If you check your gut feelings…it’s there in, in the deepest part of all of us. The idea may not sound popular and maybe we need to re-word how we present the idea in the document…but the knowing is there. This is what we are missing. This is why we are in the predicament we are in…yeah, a marketing plan is wonderful and we need that too, but until we get at the heart of the matter, we will always fall short of our goals…and that risk is just too big a risk to take.

I know many people on this website have commented that this idea is beyond the scope of our mission, but if you look deeply into the heart of the idea and our mission, not only is it part of our mission to promote a land ethic….I boldly announce it is in fact the biggest, most essential part of our mission, if not our entire mission. Look at ever mission statement of every refuge, and ponder the meanings…behind it all is having society back our mission/s and that isn’t going to happen until the majority hold a land ethic deep in their hearts. Until we do this, begin to promote a land ethic and an ecological awareness in people, we will struggle, struggle, struggle…and the wildlife and wild lands we love stand to loose.

I live in the wilderness, and as I move through the country, I always wonder….will we (humans) get it right….will this place, these wild places, this fresh air, these beautiful amazing wild animals, this grand quiet, this wild land that humbles me so, keeps me healthy, reminds me I am not separate from nature but as much a part of it as the tall mountains looking down upon me as I pass by, things as they always have been…will we get it right and let this place be here in the future, or am I one of the last few remaining people, walking freely here, to see this beautiful country before the march of development comes here too. Am I one of the last few to know what it feels like to be a natural human, to know I am as much a part of the country as the moose hushing away as I near…will we get it wrong…are these the last moments in this wonderful place, are my steps the very last steps a free man will take in a free place? How many places like this have we already lost. Why have we lost them. Why have the majority of humans not done it right yet? Without working to develop a land ethic or an ecological conscience out there in urbanizing society….I fear the steps I take today are indeed final steps, in a wilderness that humans will trade for development and resources as the populations soars in the near future. And what of the refuge system? Will refuge lands be traded as resources dwindle? Do we need to promote an ecological awareness out there…I shout a resounding yes that I hope rings across the nation…

We are standing at the tipping point, RIGHT NOW. We are out of time. We have to stop treading safely forward. Now is the time to do what needs to be done, period. Again, I look to Leopold. I wish he was here with us, with me. As a person without a known name, my vision seems easy to dismiss…if he were here, arguing along with me….the idea might take hold and perhaps the next generation would have a chance at living on an earth where wild places remain. Hasn’t Leopold waited long enough to see what he argued for come to fruition? How much longer can we go on as we always have………I argue absolutely boldly that we need to give time and serious and solemn consideration to the idea of promoting an “ecological conscience” or a land ethic….and we need to deeply ponder the deepest meaning of our mission. Please, others, this conversation needs to continue….please share your thoughts…..