Making the Connection with Youth
By Glen Wunderlich
Early in life each of us develops our “likes” and “dislikes” – and, I’m not talking Facebook. For example, I don’t know why, but I never was able to stomach lima beans regardless of my father’s fruitless attempts to get me to eat them. Of course, he knew what was good for me, but I never allowed one bean down my throat. Nice try, Dad.
And, that’s the way it is with all of us. We evolve through trial and error and naturally gravitate to things we like, which explains how the Mid-Michigan Old Gas Tractor Association show makes it to the top of my priority list each August.
My first show over 20 years ago was an eye-opener. When my friend, Charley Coston, introduced me to the event, I was flabbergasted by the tons of ancient iron, which had been preserved, protected, and converted to “wow” status in many cases. Count me as a lifer now.
And, so it is with our children. Schools do a good job of exposing youngsters to a wide variety of subject matters. Teachers become tool makers filling students’ tool boxes with knowledge – some will become useful, and some of it will be discarded out of hand. But, it is the wise teacher that bridges the gap from the knowledge to possible end-use – the missing link, if you will. Read more
Federal dollars are igniting a new conservation partnership in northeast Michigan. Huron Pines, a nonprofit organization, recently received $171,000 from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Joint Venture Habitat Restoration and Protection Program (Joint Venture Program). The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative funding will be used to plant 2 million jack pine seedlings in Kirtland’s warbler management areas, streamline community outreach programs and offer landowners cost-share opportunities. [Photo on the right: A male Kirtland’s warbler, seen during a recent viewing tour near Grayling, sits perched on a jack pine branch. Photo credit: Gene McGarry, Woodstock, NY] 