Beyond the Science of Wildlife Management...
The
Committee for Responsible Wildlife Management is
dedicated to educating the public and their elected officials in
Massachusetts
on the research and science behind wildlife management, who supports it and why
it is important.
However, above and beyond these central messages,
there is an equally important human dimension to this effort that can not be
trivialized or seem any less significant.
The stewardship, rural traditions, cultures and ways
of life that mark our own passage through time and the legacy that we pass to
our children and grandchildren can not be overlooked.
These
all go hand in hand as we journey together into an increasingly unknown future,
sharing our space with all living things as we go.
Because
of this, it is extremely important that we not exclude anyone from experiencing
or participating in the conservation of our natural resources.
It is this balanced all inclusiveness that allows
people from all walks of life, with diverse backgrounds and experiences to
contribute in a meaningful way toward sustainable conservation and preservation.
This all inclusive
approach brings about a lasting respect for our natural world, through non-use
and use advocates alike that transcends generations and crosses all cultural boundaries.
For some time now, there has
been an increasing trend in our fast paced modern society where the vast
majority is leading more urbanized life styles, creating a greater disconnect
with the day-to-day life of living off the land.
This
demographic shift has fostered a widening void of understanding and tolerance to
a more connected, natural interaction with our wild natural resources.
The shift has tipped the scales towards a more
"hands-off",
protectionist ideology, overshadowing a more balanced approach.
As these changes occur in today’s society, thoughts
of “consumptive
use”, “wise use” or “responsible use” of our wild natural resources are fast
becoming unfamiliar concepts.
Consequently, a large portion of the public is
unaware of the countless benefits these activities have on the environment,
wildlife and our own human populations.
Interestingly
enough, this lack of understanding does not stop at the doorstep of our wild
natural resources and its responsibility does on rest solely their shoulders.
In today’s world, one must be
increasingly vigilant when accepting information as
fact,
as access to that information becomes more readily available from less than
credible sources. While
the
information super highway has created
incalculable benefits to our modern society, it has also opened the flood gates
for unscrupulous special interests groups to gain global support for causes
their contributors may not truly comprehend or understand.
There is no better example of this phenomenon than
in the modern
animal rights movement and
how their leaders have capitalized on new technologies, tailoring their radical
message and agenda to fit a more mainstream, younger audience. The reasons for
lack of understanding by the uninformed public concerning the use and management
of our wildlife can not rest solely on their shoulders.
The increasing failure over time by the institution
of North American conservation itself to react timely, appropriately and as a
unified force to threats against the essence of its creation, initiated 100
years ago by President Theodore Roosevelt shares responsibility.
It is this failure to effectively communicate with
the public, which has shaken their trust in the modern conservation’s all
inclusive approach.
Beyond the reaches of the
urban centers even here in Massachusetts,
there is still a significant rural and even suburban population that can benefit
from participating in the management of our furbearers.
However, that participation will not occur without
the overall public’s acceptance and understanding of the harvest of them. We as
a society, which includes our conservation agencies and organizations, can not
forget these people that are independent, hard working, members of our society
who pride themselves on paying their own way.
In
Massachusetts,
by majority vote, the privilege has been taken away to participate in an age old
tradition.
That conscious decision has not only hurt our rural human
populations, but is quietly damaging the wildlife and the ecosystems that
support them to this very day. With your help, together we can set
Massachusetts back on a course that has been altered in recent years by special
interests and misleading agendas. Get involved, learn the facts and speak
out with confidence, knowing you have 100 years of conservation history and
legions of highly respected wildlife professionals and deeply caring people from
all walks of life behind you that believe in this all inclusive approach called
the North American Conservation Model.
![[Under Construction]](images/undercon.gif){kind=small}
