I was fortunate enough to be nominated by the Southwest Conservation Corps to attend the “Conserving Our Future' Conference in Madison, Wisconsin, held by the National Wildlife Refuge System. I realize that is a lot of names to throw at you in the first sentence so I will allow a moment for it to settle in… Okay Coming straight from a Corps junkie background, I was brought right back into the discussion of conservation and felt right at home (or at least back in my tent). The discussion I participated in at this conference was one I’ve heard around the campfire and in many of my classroom lectures. The big question for us all is, “How do we change and adapt with a society that is progressively leaping and bounding towards an uncertain future?” The focal point of the conference revolved around this question and these are the thoughts that I was able to pull from it. The quotations that are in this paper are pulled straight from “Conserving the Future: Wildlife Refuges and the Next Generation” document that was given to all attendees.
Madison, Wisconsin witnessed the birth of conservationist Aldo Leopold’s Land Ethic. Along with Aldo Leopold, big names like John Muir and Gifford Pinchot also helped to father the conservation movement. So I found it fitting that a conference with the title “Conserving Our Future” would be held in the exact location of an ideal of a great champion for the wilderness conservation ethic.
Madison, Wisconsin witnessed the birth of conservationist Aldo Leopold’s Land Ethic. Along with Aldo Leopold, big names like John Muir and Gifford Pinchot also helped to father the conservation movement. So I found it fitting that a conference with the title “Conserving Our Future” would be held in the exact location of an ideal of a great champion for the wilderness conservation ethic.
I went to the conference not completely understanding what my place or role was in the whole scheme of things but was comforted to find out that the majority of the other nominees were fellow Corps members or in biology related fields. Comradery quickly followed and debauchery soon ensued. Of course, a healthy discussion and potential future networking also strongly formed. The group was given the healthy title of “Youth Delegates”and or “Youth Engagement Team”. We were the only youth outreach for the event and received a bit of attention for the fact. So we, as a team, tried to be as involved as possible.
National Wildlife Refuge System partners and employees from across the nation convened on Madison to address various issues surrounding the future of the Refuge System. One of which, was the drafting of a document of the refuge system’s vision to carry into the future. The Refuge System is “Committed to being a catalyst for action in conserving and restoring Americas great outdoors and connecting people with their natural and cultural heritage” (Pg6) The NWRS is also responsible for operating and maintaining the wildlife sanctuaries, and is dedicated to the conservation of wildlife and habitat. The Refuge System also provides a sanctuary for people to escape and reflect in a natural setting. “Humans still have an instinctual connection to nature, and are drawn to it when provided with the opportunity” (Pg5).
National Wildlife Refuge System partners and employees from across the nation convened on Madison to address various issues surrounding the future of the Refuge System. One of which, was the drafting of a document of the refuge system’s vision to carry into the future. The Refuge System is “Committed to being a catalyst for action in conserving and restoring Americas great outdoors and connecting people with their natural and cultural heritage” (Pg6) The NWRS is also responsible for operating and maintaining the wildlife sanctuaries, and is dedicated to the conservation of wildlife and habitat. The Refuge System also provides a sanctuary for people to escape and reflect in a natural setting. “Humans still have an instinctual connection to nature, and are drawn to it when provided with the opportunity” (Pg5).
I found this very interesting because I feel that this is the same goal we as a conservation corps are trying to reach. We as a refuge system and corps have a common goal that invests in the future of our biological community. The collection of individuals who are passionate about conserving our environment seems to be a reoccurring theme across the globe and the dawning of a new conservation era is amazingly possible. I realize there is a whole spectrum of anthropocentric and geocentric ethics that I am ignoring but the general idea is the same: Conservation of our natural environment.
Today, we as a human race are facing issues of unprecedented proportions. We are the first to recognize and deal with the issues facing the place we call home. We are the first to realize that our planet is in jeopardy due to our actions as a young species. The problems stem from our growing need for our rapidly diminishing natural resources. This need puts a heavy strain on our planet and causes loss, degradation, and fragmentation of natural habitat. “Habitat loss is largely responsible for the current extinction event, in which Earth may lose half of its species in the next 100 years” (Pg4).
We are also facing an event so monumental that we as a species are only beginning to understand its effects. Global warming is a phenomenon on a scale that challenges all
Along with the current issues facing our planet, we are also dealing with our very nature as human beings. “The population of the United States has increased more than 14 percent since 1998 and citizens are becoming increasingly concentrated in cities. By 2050, the U.S. population is projected to grow to almost 400 million” (Pg4). With the human population increasing on a global scale, our ability to connect with nature is severely diminished. Along with our booming population, the discord of our advancement in the area of technology is growing. As our dependence on technology grows, we are further distanced from our connection with our natural environment. Our displacement from the knowledge of where the food we eat and where the air we breathe is coming from is increasing. The threats facing our environment are diminished because of our entrapment by our very own technology.
Along with the current issues facing our planet, we are also dealing with our very nature as human beings. “The population of the United States has increased more than 14 percent since 1998 and citizens are becoming increasingly concentrated in cities. By 2050, the U.S. population is projected to grow to almost 400 million” (Pg4). With the human population increasing on a global scale, our ability to connect with nature is severely diminished. Along with our booming population, the discord of our advancement in the area of technology is growing. As our dependence on technology grows, we are further distanced from our connection with our natural environment. Our displacement from the knowledge of where the food we eat and where the air we breathe is coming from is increasing. The threats facing our environment are diminished because of our entrapment by our very own technology.
These seemed to be the main components of the Conference. How do we change and adapt with a society that is moving forward faster than we can predict? How do we as an organization protect our environment from overwhelming demands while providing opportunities for people to access the very same environment we are trying to protect? The answer is not an easy one nor do I claim to know that answer but I am hoping the outcome of this conference can provide an example of what is possible.
We live in a time of great uncertainty and even greater possibility. We as a generation can be one of the movers and shakers of our time. We live in a future where we can follow in the steps of the greats, such as Rachael Carson, John Muir, or Aldo Leopold. We have access to technology that wasn’t dreamt of in our past, to build a better future. We can build organizations that “undo” history and promote global conservation. We have the overpowering ability to make change if we choose to wield these tools.
The Refuge System and Conservation Corps are great examples of work directly involved in the issues. We as employees and even greater, as volunteers, provide the foundation for the conservation movement. The work done in the field is the embodiment of that movement. These services provide excellent opportunities for youth to be immersed in the culture surrounding our environment or just be awed by its power. The passion for nature that these services promote is a wonderful example of what nature does to us intrinsically as a species. The Refuge System and Conservation Corps are looking forward to a future that directly involves youth. The ideal of conservation is moving forward but needs youth participation to advance. Youth provide a new and relevant understanding on what our society today needs to succeed.
A great example I can provide of using technology as a tool for promoting the conservation movement was the brainchild of the “Youth Delegates” at this conference. A couple of the delegates decided to put together the blog that you are reading from right now with the intention of bringing these same issues to a younger audience. This blog has great potential because of its connection with government agencies and even greater minds. Our technology has the ability to reach people beyond our organizations and agencies. This is a great example of the adaptability and potential of young minds concerned with our environment coming together. We also have a group on Facebook called “Conserving the Future: Youth Engagement” at:
http://www.facebook.com/groups/143821705696718/.
Earth is an anomaly in the great vastness of our
Aside: I was nominated to attend this conference by the Southwest Conservation Corps and was fortunate enough to be accepted. I took a lot back from this conference and was able to write this piece fairly quickly because I believe in it so strongly. I want to say to those who work with organizations that address these very issues, give your office people a big thank you. I want to take the time to give the office staff at SCC a huge thank you for providing me, and many others, the opportunity to learn and grow as individuals. You guys who do the paperwork in the office give us the opportunity to express our passion for our environment. So once again, a huge thank you for giving me this opportunity.
Marshall Masayesva
