Wildlife By Design

By Dale Rollins, Ph.D

A fellow in Oklahoma once warned me that "there’s two things that can’t be molded: dry dung and rotten wood." Anytime I get in a controversial situation, where both the dry dung and rotten wood are hurling insults at one another, I take solace in his observation. Oh, for the days of moist dung and sound wood.

I just returned from Summit III, a meeting of agriculturists, environmentalists and educators assigned the topic of "shaping the vision" for environmental and natural resource policy for the 21st century. I must compliment those who planned the workshop for including players from both sides of the fence. Further, the conference was conducted in an atmosphere that lent itself to positive dialogue on some heretofore heated topics like biodiversity, land access by recreationalists, and water rights. Relative to the first session in 1993, the dung had moistened and the wood was a bit more structurally sound, i.e., both "sides" seemed more amenable to working out a solution, and not just trading jabs.

Back in about 1990, I had the pleasure of listening to Dr. Barry Flinchbaugh, a public policy analyst from Kansas State University. Dr. Flinchbaugh’s style and candid remarks reminded me of former Senator Bill Sims. Flinchbaugh reckoned that you can’t educate people on issues that are "white hot;" you have to wait until they cool to "red hot" before meaningful dialogue can occur.

Based upon my observations at Kerrville last week, I’d say that environmental vs. agricultural issues have cooled to red hot. I could sense a sentiment of cooperation among those present unlike what one would have found just a year ago. Perhaps it’s the thought of such issues being settled in the legislative or judicial sectors that prompts both sides to reconsider the peace pipe afforded by constructive coalitions.

The following is a poem first drafted back in 1991 by an author known only to me. I was hesitant to publish it back then, as it might throw gas on an already flammable situation. But in the spirit of Baxter Black and Jake Landers, I offer it to you as a dose of ecological satire.

These endangered species are causing a mess.
They've shut off cost-share from the ASCS.
When black-capped vireos or warblers are found,
The SCS gets nervous, and starts frettin' around.

Nowhere is safe, not even west of the Pecos,
Where aguja pondweed is causin' the fracas.
Or in the Concho Valley where a little brown snake,
Reared its head and nearly diverted a lake.

Fish and Wildlife says better check the Act,
Before making modifications to that there cedar tract.
Memorize the definitions of take and harm,
Or it might wind up costing you the family farm!

There's a lot of confusion about pesticides,
And folks disagree where the critter resides.
Jeopardy cases and conflict abound,
While both sides squabble over whose science is sound.

Texans ask "how come we have to obey the Executive Order?"
If there's no similar decree down south of the border?
Is it breeding or wintering that's the limiting factor?
Urbanization, fire ants or the Caterpillar tractor?

Sierra Club, Austinites, and ranchers take heart.
Everybody's gotta do their individual part.
To protect habitat for an ocelot or a black-footed ferret,
Use a little less stick, and a little more carrot.

Ranchers want bureaucrats to be less argumentative.
"We'll keep your warblers, if you'll give us an incentive.
There'll be no temptation to harass or molest,
If you'll provide us a bonus of $50 per nest."

The feds claim to know what's best,
They're protectin' more-n-more on less-n-less.
City folks are pleased, but ranchers are angered,
They claim they're the ones most likely endangered!

I’ll bet Will Rogers and Leopold could surely tell us how
To respect the needs of the eagle, people, land and cow.
To think like a mountain and forge for the common good,
And to strive for moist dung and carveable wood!

May the reconstitution process begin!