George Washington Carver (ca. 1864-1943) is at once one of the most familiar and misunderstood figures in American history. In My Work Is That of Conservation, Mark D. Hersey reveals the life and work of this fascinating man who is widely--and reductively--known as the African American scientist who developed a wide variety of uses for the peanut. Carver had a truly prolific career dedicated to studying the ways in which people ought to interact with the natural world, yet much of his work has been largely forgotten. Hersey rectifies this by tracing the evolution of Carver's agricultural and environmental thought starting with his childhood in Missouri and Kansas and his education at the Iowa Agricultural College. Carver's environmental vision came into focus when he moved to the Tuskegee Institute in Macon County, Alabama, where his sensibilities and training collided with the denuded agrosystems, deep poverty, and institutional racism of the Black Belt. It was there that Carver realized his most profound agricultural thinking, as his efforts to improve the lot of the area's poorest farmers forced him to adjust his conception of scientific agriculture. Hersey shows that in the hands of pioneers like Carver, Progressive Era agronomy was actually considerably "greener" than is often thought today. My Work Is That of Conservation uses Carver's life story to explore aspects of southern environmental history and to place this important scientist within the early conservation movement.

Hersey shows that in the hands of pioneers like Carver, Progressive Era agronomy was actually considerably "greener" than is often thought today. He uses Carver's life story to explore aspects of southern environmental history and to place this important scientist within the early conservation movement.

Successful natural resource management is much more than good science; it requires working with landowners, meeting deadlines, securing funding, supervising staff, and cooperating with politicians. The ability to work effectively with people is as important for the conservation professional as it is for the police officer, the school teacher, or the lawyer. Yet skills for managing human interactions are rarely taught in academic science programs, leaving many conservation professionals woefully unprepared for the daily realities of their jobs. Written in an entertaining, easy-to-read style, The Conservation Professional’s Guide to Working with People fills a gap in conservation education by offering a practical, how-to guide for working effectively with colleagues, funders, supervisors, and the public. The book explores how natural resource professionals can develop skills and increase their effectiveness using strategies and techniques grounded in social psychology, negotiation, influence, conflict resolution, time management, and a wide range of other fields. Examples from history and current events, as well as real-life scenarios that resource professionals are likely to face, provide context and demonstrate how to apply the skills described. The Conservation Professional’s Guide to Working with People should be on the bookshelf of any environmental professional who wants to be more effective while at the same time reducing job-related stress and improving overall quality of life. Those who are already good at working with people will learn new tips, while those who are petrified by the thought of conducting public meetings, requesting funding, or working with constituents will find helpful, commonsense advice about how to get started and gain confidence.

This fascinating and beautifully illustrated book spans the complete length and breadth of the topic of conservation, which is more important today than ever before. Combining history with science, this deeply insightful book charts the changes in our understanding and relationship with conservation, from the beginnings of the planet when humans didn’t consider their impact on their surroundings, to the modern world and what we can do to protect our natural resources today. Earth’s natural resources include air, minerals, plants, soil, water, and wildlife. Conservation is the care and protection of these resources so that they can persist for future generations. It includes maintaining diversity of species, genes, and ecosystems, as well as functions of the environment, such as nutrient cycling. As well as discovering the effects conservation could have across the world, this book will help you discover practical ways we can work together to help protect our resources for our future generations. With fact-packed text by Catherine Barr and vibrant illustrations by Amy Husband, this next title in the best-selling Story of... series is all about shifting attitudes to our natural world and will give children the information they need to inspire them to protect our precious planet.

The last fifteen years have been a period of dramatic change, both in the world at large and within the fields of ecology and conservation. The end of the Cold War, the dot-com boom and bust, the globalizing economy, and the attacks of September 11, among other events and trends, have reshaped our worldview and the political environment in which we find ourselves. At the same time, emerging knowledge, needs, and opportunities have led to a rapid evolution in our understanding of the scientific foundations and social context of conservation. Correction Lines is a new collection of essays from one of our most thoughtful and eloquent writers on conservation, putting these recent changes into perspective and exploring the questions they raise about the past, present, and future of the conservation movement. The essays explore interrelated themes: the relationship between biological and social dimensions; the historic tension between utilitarian and preservationist approaches; the integration of varied cultural perspectives; the enduring legacy of Aldo Leopold; the contrasts and continuities between conservation and environmentalism; the importance of political reform; and the need to "retool" conservation to address twentyfirst-century realities. Collectively the essays assert that we have reached a critical juncture in conservation—a "correction line" of sorts. Correction Lines argues that we need a more coherent and comprehensive account of the past if we are to understand our present circumstances and move forward under unprecedented conditions. Meine brings together a deep sense of history with powerful language and compelling imagery, yielding new insights into the origins and development of contemporary conservation. Correction Lines will help us think more clearly about the forces that have changed, and are changing, conservation, and inspire us to address current realities and future needs.

BOOK REVIEW Dr. Gene Huntsman, NMFS Research Biologist, Retired: The book is just like Kroger himself: unambiquously honest, refreshingly sincere, earthily plain-spoken. If I had students I would have a copy or two around to introduce them to the real gritty world of life on the frontlines of resource protection. Jim Posewitz, MT G&FD Biologist/Supervisor, Retired, and author of Beyond Fair Chase : In Kroger's work we are treated to the tragedies and triumphs of an individual whose conservation ethic could not be compromised to political expediency. It is an alarm telling us that our natural resource management systems are infected with political corruption and bureaucratic expedience. Read this book, but more importantly, let it inspire you to take action in defense of the American conservation ethic and those hardy souls still out there working in the people's interest. Tony Dean, Producer of Tony Dean Outdoors TV series and Dakota Country Backroads radio shows: I have covered state and federal natural resource agencies in the Upper Midwest for more than three decades and agree with Kroger's assessment that there are two types of biologists conservation vocationists, or as my friend Ted Williams calls them, sticklebacks,' and bureaucratic careerists. Kroger's book pulls no punches and is a good read for anyone who cares about the outdoors and the proper management of our natural resources. Wayde Schafer, Sierra Club Regional Representative: What also comes through in the book is the mischievous delight he experienced when he got' a bureaucrat or a politician. I'm better at what I do because I had the privilege of tapping into that wisdom while working on environmental campaigns with him. This book offers the reader an opportunity to also tap into that wisdom. Chuck Neal, BLM Soil Scientist, Retired and author of Grizzles in the Mist : Powerful Credible Inspirational This book should be required reading and discussion material for all those in and entering the natural resource conservation fields. Jeff Denton, BLM Biologist: Let Kroger's impeccable ethics and courage during his lifelong commitment to responsible conservation of our incredibly rich and under appreciated natural resources inspire you and serve as a gauge for assessing your own dedication. It also lets dedicated individuals know they are not alone in their frustrations, the world is a better place because of their noble choices, and how to find the courage for perseverance. Felix Smith, FWS Combat Biologist/Supervisor, Retired: Kroger coined the term Conservation Vocationists' to identify those professionals dedicated to proper natural resource management on a 24/7 life-long basis versus Bureaucratic Careerists' who work 8-hour days in the field of conservation but are motivated mostly by their own selfish goals of achieving more money, power, and prestige. Mike Olson, FWS Missouri River Coordinator: The book provides an excellent opportunity to those of us mid-way through our professional careers to renew our commitment to an environmental ethic. Kroger's perspective provides an inextricable linkage between the decisions made while on the job to those long-term consequences on the landscape. Bill Bicknell, FWS Biologist: His life-long conservation commitment, willingness to take risks, work ethic, and book are truly inspirational. He presents important insights about the workings of government agencies, what makes their employees tick, and highlights productive ways to address bureaucratic pitfalls that prevent implementation of beneficial fish and wildlife projects. Jim Guthrie, NMFS Fisheries Technician, Retired: From the personal history presented in his book, it is obvious that Kroger went on being Kroger wherever he went. Rick Morat, FWS Biologist, Retired: I was left with a compelling case-for-action that