Our Neighbors’ Knowledge
I
~ by Jim Eagleman
am often asked,“ What does a park naturalist do in the off-season?” Park crowds are smaller in winter and nature programs and daily hikes aren’ t offered as they are in warm months. During January and February, only a few brave souls venture in to the parks. Those that do are rewarded with beauty and quiet. And with prolonged cold and snow this winter, tracking and learning a secretive wildlife habits gets a little more challenging. A long-time nature center visitor said she feels like a detective, piecing together clues left by a nighttime visitor to her compost pile.
Although serving the public is still a priority, wintertime allows DNR employees time to compile reports of the year’ s events, attend meetings to catch up with colleagues, plan for the next season, and adjust to smaller budgets. Meeting the challenge of maintaining a quality program with staff and helpful volunteers continues to be at the top of many DNR employees’ list. We all have to make do with less. And when it comes to be being resourceful and creative, the old adage,“ It’ s not what you know, but who you know,” can be said by nearly anyone in any kind of work.
I am fortunate to live in a place where many specialists have retired or moved. Others are home temporarily from assignment. Understandably, Brown County attracts many who enjoy year’ round nature, art, and beauty. Several residents employed in a variety of disciplines allow me the opportunity to“ pick their brains.” I usually find them willing to share knowledge when approached with genuine curiosity. What a treat to talk with a researcher or biologist who studied some remote area, a tiny creature, or random plant. Musicians, artists, and designers show similar passion. I was able to visit and learn more from them while watching our February snowfall.
Some workers in the biologic sciences reveal intricacies and particulars of a relationship I never heard of, or a remote link of plant to animal. We can all learn from them. I couldn’ t be luckier. It helps confirm what I have known for some time— it’ s a big, natural world with a lot going on.
Recently I visited with a gentleman who researchs ants. His wife is also an entomologist who studies moths. Their world travels have taken them to faroff lands to delve into the mysteries of rainforest ecosystems. Returning to their Brown County home now requires them to continue their work. Time is taken
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40 Our Brown County • March / April 2014