Listen, and We Will Be Heard
By Selma Glasscock, Ph.D.
Credit: B. C. Glasscock
Selma Glasscock,
Ph.D., is Assistant
Director of the
Welder Wildlife
Foundation in
Sinton, Texas, and
Chair of The Wildlife
Society’s Editorial
Advisory Board
for The Wildlife
Professional.
The best news I heard in 2008 is that The
Wildlife Society (TWS) is growing. Old
and new members alike are all dedicated
to wildlife conservation. Those of us trained as
wildlife biologists were taught in college to think
logically, to carry out ethical, science-based research,
and to provide the scientific community with new
discoveries. However, we often found upon entering
our careers that we were unprepared to cope with
real on-the-ground challenges. To keep up, we
continued to educate ourselves to be better biologists
and managers. As we grew into our professions, we
discovered the niches for which we felt best suited.
From the base of wildlife biology, we diversified
to become field scientists, managers, information
specialists, technicians, educators, policymakers,
and a wide array of other wildlife professionals.
I believe The Wildlife Professional (TWP) provides a mechanism by which we all can become
better informed about our profession as we adapt
to new perspectives, new tools, and new challenges. However, I also believe that along with
highlighting the “new,” TWP should also work to
keep our professionals anchored in the lessons of
North American wildlife conservation, both successes and failures. As Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant
once said, “When you make a mistake, admit it;
learn from it and don’t repeat it.”
In the past many “wildlifers” came to the profession
through traditional routes, tied to making a living
from the land. Many also grew up hunting, a tradition most likely passed to us by family members.
Through these experiences, we came to understand
the fundamental role hunters played in the conservation successes of the 20th century.
As a member magazine, TWP affords us the opportunity to hear the opinions of TWS leaders, to
learn about the research and accomplishments
of TWS members, and to express our opinions
on controversial issues. As the magazine evolves,
you’ll also see more articles about techniques
that have proved successful in wildlife management and conservation. It is a diverse publication
meant to serve a diverse membership.
Today many young wildlife professionals enter TWS
from backgrounds different from, and more varied
than, wildlifers of the past. Some come from urban
settings and have never hunted or fished. Few have
experienced the hardships of depending on the land
for a livelihood. These young conservationists will
likely face new challenges in understanding the conflicts that arise in managing wildlife on public and
private lands. They will also have different ideas
and opinions regarding land use, natural resource
extraction, and hunting. Most important, however, they will bring with them broad arrays of new
knowledge, technical skills, and great enthusiasm
for solving wildlife management problems.
TWP has matured over two short years. What
began as an idea has grown into a handsome,
informative publication with an interactive online
version that now includes video. From the outset,
TWP was meant to be a member’s publication.
The staff, as well as the Editorial Advisory Board,
continue to need direct input and articles from
TWS members—that would be YOU. As TWS
membership grows, TWP will continue to serve
a larger and more diverse audience. With your
contributions, TWP will continue to mature into
a publication that truly reflects the interests and
concerns of the membership.
Differences aside, what binds us together is our
passion for conserving wildlife and wildlife habitats.
We must embrace our similarities and our differences. We must listen, consider, and respect each
other’s opinions. We must take the time to educate
the next generation of wildlifers and ensure that
information is efficiently passed among us all.
Finally, because of TWP’s concise and readable
style and coverage of timely topics, I believe
TWP may also assist TWS by helping us reach
people outside our profession—lawyers, teachers, politicians, developers—to provide them with
accurate, science-based information regarding the
contemporary core issues that challenge wildlife
managers and policymakers. I hope that TWP
finds its way to the top of your stack of reading materials. When you’ve finished enjoying it,
please pass it to someone outside the growing
TWS family.
