Thirty of Forty in the 49th: Memories of a Wildlife Biologist in Alaska

The author came to Alaska as a greenhorn biologist - enthusiastic, but lacking in practical knowledge. The timing was perfect for opportunity: federal legislation was in the works that would change the face of Alaska forever - millions of acres of wild Alaska were being set aside in perpetuity for conservation purposes. The passage of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA) set the stage for the future, both for the land and for those who chose to implement the Act's mandates. It was the perfect environment for a young biologist to learn and contribute to addressing the conservation challenges of Alaska. The author combines Alaska's conservation history with his own experiences, along with many of the risks encountered: less than friendly bears, wildfires, subzero temperatures, and wilderness travel by canoe and bush plane. "Thirty of Forty in the 49th" shares the author's 30 years of employment with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Alaska, highlighting challenges and accomplishments. It shares many personal stories, but also touches on key environmental issues of the time: designation of wilderness, subsistence use of fish and wildlife, and the spiritual connection people have with pristine far away places. The book also touches on the ongoing controversies associated with predator control, oil and gas development, and climate change. From the seat of a canoe on a post-retirement solo trip down the Yukon River, the author reflects and shares both highlights of the current trip and memories from the previous four decades. The author concludes that Alaska and the world are changing, but thanks to the foresight and hard work of many, much of the wild treasures of Alaska are protected - being much the same now as in decades past, and with the hope that they will always remain so.