Did that make sense? What I'm getting at is that a necessary way to deal
with resource managers is to understand their motivation and education. A
lot of resource managers get into the field (or get promoted) because they
want to manage, not because they have the best interests of the environment
in mind. If we want to change the way state agencies do business, or even
deal with them we intelligently, need to realize that the job title
"Biologist" doesn't mean they know about biology.
And having a college degree is not a sign that a person is qualified to make
rational decisions. I should clarify that-- their rationale is not
necessarily that which is best for the environment. It has never been
simpler to get through college than it is today and anyone can get a college
degree. So, as far as a Fisheries or Biology diploma, you can get it
without "getting it"-- that is "getting" a real understanding of the
biological and physical components and interactions that make up our
environment.
Then there are the people who have a deeper understanding and passion for
the environment. These people are diamonds in a world of cubic zirconia.
These diamonds are all across the continent. Some are in NANFA and some are
on this list. I don't pretend to be anywhere close to that point but I
aspire to a greater understanding of the world. And because some of them
are taking time to contribute to NANFA's efforts we'll all learn to
understand the world better. You can't buy that kind of help.
-- Jay DeLong Olympia, WA
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