had. Leopold’ s philosophy was reinforced with every class and outing. I was fortunate to be among those who held his land ethic and teachings so highly. It was clear my instructors wanted us wildlife students to learn of this man and his talents. I became a student of“ the professor.”
With the cold upon us, I now look at winter tracks and scratchings in the snow as evidence of some drama that took place before I arrived. This is nothing unusual or scientific— we all do this when out and walking. But the phrase in the Leopold quote above,“ to speculate why,” has always intrigued me. Why did the mouse, bird, shrew, or squirrel venture out of their presumably warm burrow? Was it danger, the cold, the need for food, or a warming trend? Were they over-crowded, sick, awakened by a torrential rain and soaked to the skin? And when they did venture out, were they subject to predation, attack, or exposure? If cold and wet, did they return less fit to warn off chills, become weak and die? There’ s a lot more going for that critter than a mere walk in the woods. Leopold, like any teacher who pushes, wants us to take time and think.
After my more than 40 years with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources as a naturalist, I am often asked,“ What were my most impressive memories? Did I learn a lot, and what was the funniest, scariest, or more notable memory? What did I observe with the public over time that I can now relate?”
My experiences in nature were numerous, often awe-inspiring, and always unpredictable. They still are. I also can say the same of the many people I met as program presenter. I suppose the“ take home” message I often wanted my hikers to have was that we were there, on the trail, by the lake, at the nest, only a short time. What life experience we were watching surely went on after we left. A snippet of what took place, what we heard or saw, had also happened over millennia and we should consider ourselves lucky to experience what happens in nature, routinely, every day, every year, all the time, despite our busy lives. Leopold’ s time as writer, scientist, author and conservationist helped many students learn that the natural life around us is intricate, mysterious, and connected. He made me a better observer. I take time to speculate and wonder.
Enjoy this time in nature as the cold winds blow, and feel free to share what you are seeing. Write me at < jpeagleman @ gmail. com >. •
• Rooms with balcony views • Enclosed pool
• Restaurant • Lounge
• Conference facility for up to 600 people
560 State Road 46 East, Nashville, IN 812-988-2284 • SeasonsLodge. com
Historic Nashville House Serving the traveler since 1859 with old-fashioned hospitality
Corner of Main and Van Buren Streets in Nashville, Indiana
812-988-4554
Jan./ Feb. 2017 • Our Brown County 43