Walking through magical woods on an early spring day, spotting an ancient deer skull, donning heavy clothing and burning things – these are the perks of being a conservationist, according Matt Shultz of the Michigan Nature Association.
Some 30 people arrived in Strosacker 200 on Oct. 28, eager to hear about the importance of conserving plant life. The crowd of mostly biology majors and professors had a vested interest in the preservation of natural habitats.
Hillsdale’s Conservation Club hosted Shultz, said senior Lydia Wassink, president of the club. She said Shultz is the first speaker the club has invited to Hillsdale, but they hope to welcome more in the near future.
Shultz warned the students that conservation is not for someone who wants instant gratification.
Assistant Professor of Biology Jeffrey VanZant, who has connections with Shultz, introduced him.
“There is work to do. Like pulling garlic mustard in mosquito infested wetland,” VanZant said, invoking personal experience.
Shultz encouraged students to know what natural environments are supposed to look like.
“If you don’t know what success looks like, how are you going to get there?” he said.
Shultz discussed the disconnect between children and nature which the technological age we live in causes. Daniel Kish, senior and service project coordinator of the Conservation Club, expressed how important it is to make children see that science is not boring.
“The Michigan Nature Association gets the younger generation involved in conservation, so we don’t lose those gems in nature,” Kish said.
Shultz said once biodiversity is gone, it cannot be brought back. He pursued conservation instead of pollution control because he thought, with enough money, anything can be cleaned up. However, biodiversity cannot be reestablished.
One of Shultz reasons for pursuing conservation was his wife.
“My wife is getting a Ph.D. – I am protecting nature for her to study,” he said.
Junior Greyson King, Conservation Club fundraising coordinator, said he considers conservation a hobby.
“It is a selfish thing – I think it’s pretty, so I’m going to maintain it,” he said.
Kish said he loves hunting and the only way to continue his hobby is to preserve the habitats of the animals he hunts.
Shultz said conservation goes beyond economics or beauty – his concern is what is right.
“We need to do this because it is the right thing to do,” he said.
