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 every individual needs an understanding of personal mission to keep ‘first things first.’ It contains some of the most balanced and level-headed advice I have received. Reading this clearly written and simply stated book will draw the reader into an introspective evaluation of his/her life with an emphasis on the future.”
Tory Taylor, Past President of the Wyoming Wildlife Federation and Budweiser Outdoorsman of the Year in 2000: “Dick Kroger’s ‘Choosing a Conservation…’ is a message that needs to be told over and over again. The lessons in this book are invaluable for conservationists, young and old, to learn how to negotiate the maze of obstacles and achieve one’s life goals in natural resource conservation.”
Meredith Taylor, Greater Yellowstone Coalition 20th Anniversary Award Winner: “In his book, he gives great insight into how he not only survived, but succeeded in his career as a conservation vocationist.”
National Wildlife Magazine: “In it, he encourages all natural-resource agency employees to view their lives’ work as vocations rather than just personal careers. Kroger uses his personal observations, successes, and failures to demonstrate how current and future conservationists can effectively survive within government agencies while providing maximum protection for our natural resources.”
BOOK OVERVIEW This book was written specifically to encourage natural resource specialists to pick-
up the perpetual torch of conservation vocationists who measure successes in terms of natural resources protected and improved management of them.It explains why government conservation, environmental, and land management agencies do such a poor job of protecting and managing our public natural resources and how this malady can be cured.The author discusses the fundamental human differences between conservation vocationists and bureaucratic careerists and how their actions positively and negatively impact our natural resources, respectively. He explains how dedicated vocationists can be more effective in protecting our natural resources from unnecessary degradation within government agencies and how they can counteract negative management actions taken by bureaucratic careerists, who always work to promote their own self-interests of achieving more money, power, and prestige (status). The book also addresses how non-profit conservation groups and individual vocationists can become more successful in protecting our natural resources and preventing unnecessary environmental degradation caused by bureaucratic careerists.
The author takes the reader through over 45 years of his life while working as a
conservationist within federal agencies, state government, numerous non-profit groups, and as a private citizen on the East Coast, West Coast, Inter-mountain West, and Midwest. He uses his professional and private observations, successes, and failures to demonstrate how conservation vocationists can survive within government agencies while still effectively combating bureaucratic careerists and providing maximum protection for our natural resources.
Readers are provided guidance on how to become successful conservation
vocationists by learning to understand the innate driving forces of human behavior and how to effectively communicate and use finesse with key people to achieve improved management of our natural resources. Insight is provided about a variety of employment opportunities, some of which are unconventional but provide for maximizing natural resource protection during one’s lifetime. He concludes by explaining what specific changes are necessary to make conservation and land management agencies more effective in protecting our natural resources.
MORE INFORMATION @ http://www.rtconnect.net/ krogers.