(75) Evolution/Future of Extension Wildlife and Fisheries Programs: What Would Aldo Say?

Scott R. Craven, Department of Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI; Robert M. Timm, UC Hopland Research & Extension Center, Hopland, CA; James L. Byford, College of Agriculture & Applied Sciences, UT Martin, TN; Jack M. Payne, Natural Resources Ecology and Management, Ames, IA; Gary San Julian, School of Forest Resources State College, PA; Neal Wilkins Texas A&M Institute of Renewable Natural Resources, College Station, TX; Delwin E. Benson, Dept. Fish, Wildlife & Conservation Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO.

Session: General session

In 1978, a Natural Resources (NR) Unit was established within the USDA Extension Service (ES).  This first-ever ES NR Unit was led by a Deputy Administrator, who promptly reorganized his staff to include a National Program Leader (NPL) for wildlife and fisheries (WF).  This position was filled in October 1979, and that professional served in the position until retirement in 2001.  During this period, Extension WF programs evolved from a nonexistent presence at the federal level to a highly credible entity, linking ES into WF research-based information from the nation’s land grant universities, developed an effective communication and delivery network, and became nationally recognized leaders, cooperators and catalysts within the professional NR community.  Of greater significance were the enhanced evolution, participation, credibility and visibility of state Extension WF programs and increased involvement in regional, national and international issues, conferences and professional organizations.  However, recently, Extension wildlife and fisheries programs, envied by numerous other NR agencies and organizations have suffered from a lack of professional leadership nationally.  What would Aldo say?  Possibly:  “To keep every cog and wheel is the first precaution of intelligent tinkering… Planning for wildlife is not primarily a matter of laws, appropriations or administrative devices, but rather of modifying land-use so as to provide the habitat needed by each species.  Hence the execution of a plan rests with farmers and landowners, rather than with government.  The function of government is to teach, lead and encourage” (Leopold 1941).  A key cog in Extension WF programs is missing.  A full-time wildlife or fisheries professional with state Extension experience should be employed in the NPL Wildlife and Fisheries position at the federal level.  In the absence of National Program leadership, what does the future hold?

James Miller
Mississippi State University
Box 9690
Mississippi State, MS 39762-9690
Phone:  662-325-2619
Fax:  662-325-8750
E-mail:  jmiller@ext.msstate.edu