ROLES OF A CONSERVATION PROFESSIONAL

the twenty first century experience

5 Roles

The PoetThe ScientistThe Public ServantThe Wild OneThe Humble

5 Poets

Wendall BerryPattiann RogersGary SnyderMary OliverSimon Ortiz

THE POETQuick profitMind will be punchedDo something that won’t computeFree republic for which it standsPraise ignoranceYou will not live to harvestTwo inches of humusLaugh Be joyfulPlease women more than menSwear allegianceMore tracks than necessaryPractice resurrection

THE SCIENTISTAt least one eyeInvisible to someSeeds of tadpolesBrook trout have eyesFlocks of water fleasRed-legged grasshopperShort-tailed shrewRodent-scoped eyeAn eye for everythingWill not pass unnoticedThe star-nosed moleSo oddEach copepod Sensitive to the hourAt dusk to touch the darkI have an eye myselfWild and vigilantWatch how I feed

THE PUBLIC SERVANTThe midnight hallsFilling life with rulesThe end of many chambersGovernor sits, without dinnerLaws – budgets – codesTill the oil runs outPines on the capitol groundsThinking about “the people”The elegant company of JupiterFlashes of lightning

Governor came to visitNapped all afternoon Chickens must be tendedWhat would happen to the carsBeside the pond we started laughingHissing under the pine treesStriking deep in straw bales

THE WILD ONEFlung herself out of the grassEnormous and complicated eyesWings open, floats awayHow to fall downHow to kneel downBe idle and blessedDie at lastWild and precious life

Rippled sand riftsLonesome for the young afternoonListens to the riverCoyote, he’s always somewhereGood luck for him and for meReports of a shotgunThe animal in me crouchesPreference is for silenceListen for the motion of sound

THE HUMBLE Achieving perspectiveToe hair by toe hairStraight up through the skyGalaxies of the Cygnus A clusterTry to remember that40,000 years full of gatheringThe hard wrinkling of seedTo reach the one star nearestBeing swept away nowMolecule by moleculeAt this moment The widest arc of its elliptical turn

Despair for the world growsThe least sound in fearBeauty on the waterPeace of wild thingsWho do not tax their livesAbove me the day-blind starsRest in the grace of the world

In closing,5 Roles

The PoetThe ScientistThe Public ServantThe Wild OneThe Humble Conservation Professional

THE MNACPPromoting science-based stewardship.Engaging active, retired, and aspiring conservation professionals.

In 2012:Host “conservation conversations” in public libraries around the state, discussing the science behind important conservation issues, like clean water, wildlife habitat, and ecosystem services.

Invite citizens, retired and active professionals to join MNACP members in a lively dialogue about important stewardship issues.

Please come and join us.