Memoirs of a Naturalist
~ by Jim Eagleman
My soon-to-be-finished memoirs cover my life from the farm in Pennsylvania as a youth, through high school and college, and my life as public servant and Department of Natural Resources( DNR) employee. This is in no way an endorsement of the book. It was really written for my three sons so they can learn about some of my escapades and history. It is a likely assumption they will not want a personal copy. Like my master’ s thesis from grad school, it is a sure cure for insomnia.
I’ ve heard some people assemble memoirs to document a life of adventure and intrigue. They hope readers will want to meet them, ask them to speak for a group, or invite them over for cocktails. But often the work doesn’ t come close to a good read. The finished version is either printed on a personal computer or sent to a local publisher. Some copies are given to friends as presumptuous gifts, but most remain in the box.
I believe memoirs are written selfishly. For nostalgic saps like me, I think back to a day I played with friends, worked long hours at my dad’ s veterinary practice, or enjoyed hunting trips at the farm. Recounting the event, I see it happily play out again in my mind— the people, emotions, places, and even smells, come back. Well, maybe not the smells, but a memory of them persists. Common to nearly all my chapters has been a love of the land. How I conveyed the story, created the scene, was my next challenge. I have learned good writing is a gift shared only by a few exceptional people. Winston Churchill was known to have spent an entire day constructing the best sentence. It can be taxing, exhausting.
My memoirs will also finalize my 40 plus years with the Indiana DNR. I will retire this December. It is time to let others enjoy this gig,“ new blood”— complete with better, high-tech skills, and more energy, with the optimism of youth— can now take over. It’ s been a good run. It is time to step aside and do other things.
What have I learned working as an educator with the public? What great observation can I share after this stint? No earth-shattering realizations— nothing too revealing or insightful. A natural resources educator working at a state park, with other colleagues to confirm this, will merely state we have a big job on our hands. Relating the natural world and all we gain and learn from it becomes a lifelong mission. Dedication comes easy since it’ s an important story to tell and we are committed. I hope we continue to have eager and curious people in our audiences— those that love nature and want to know more make teaching so enjoyable. Still, it is adults, mindful of obligations, who take the kids along and create the best learning opportunities. Both can grow with an understanding and appreciation that may continue. And children aren’ t the only ones who can learn.
Over the years I have noticed visitors— parents and couples— still bringing kids to snake talks, wanting to sing at campfire programs, and learning a few constellations. Early bird walks are only attended by those who enjoy a new bird or see one up-close. Beginner birders become impatient, complain of the optics or neck strain. Park history tends to be only
Continued on 62
60 Our Brown County • Nov./ Dec. 2015