Altitude, Attitude, and Stewardship

Star Wars fans recall the epic lightsaber duel between Obi Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker, which leads to Anakin being sliced, diced and transformed into Darth Vader. At the climax of the duel we have the classic lamebrain Hollywood moment in which the hero and villain, locked in a life and death struggle, pause for conversation. Obi Wan warns Anakin not to persist in the attack because Obi Wan has the higher ground (and what is Obi Wan thinking—Anakin, who has just slaughtered a room full of 10 year old jedi-lings—will surrender and enter Jedi Probation?). And occupying the higher ground proves decisive.

Birds know that the higher ground or, more precisely, altitude is vital to their defences. The most vivid example of this I've seen is when a Bald Eagle dove on a Great Blue Heron to drive him away from a prime fishing spot. The eagle did not notice the Turkey Vulture who was soaring above him. Not sure of the motive, perhaps solidarity with the heron or dislike of the more powerful carrion eater, but the vulture dove on the eagle and drove him away. Just a few days ago, I watched a Red-tailed Hawk drive another eagle away, again by taking advantage of higher altitude. And, because turnabout is the way of the world, just two days ago, a Red-wing Blackbird sent a Red-tail scrambling away. Red-wings are the masters of positioning themselves above any bird and or anyone else who comes too close to their nest and driving them away.

With the fate of Stewardship to be decided in the next few days (please use this link to read the latest detailed report), we can learn from the birds and use higher ground to our advantage. When humans are encouraged to take the higher ground or the higher road, we face a moral responsibility; to deal with folks fairly and honestly. That's our task with specific Republican legislators who will have a lot of influence on the fate of the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship program.

Some of them continue to be skeptical of Stewardship. If they are adamant or unreasonable in their opposition, Stewardship could fail or survive in a truncated and not very usable form. Reports on the identities of these folks are a bit sketchy. This we know, though: the debate and action on Stewardship will mostly take place in the Joint Finance Committee and some of the Republican skeptics are on that committee.

Here are the names of the Republican legislators on JFC:

Senators Marklein (Co-chair, Spring Green), Stroebel (Saukville), Kooyenga (Brookfield), Felzkowski (Irma), Ballweg (Markesan), Bernier (Chippewa Falls)

Members of the Assembly Born (Co-chair, Beaver Dam), Loundenbeck (Clinton), Katsma (Oostberg), Zimmerman (River Falls), Rodgruez (Oak Creek), Kurtz (Wonewoc)

Please send any or all of these legislators an email, letter, or phone call and ask them to support a robust Stewardship program, at least a bit above the current level. Here's how to contact them.

This is not meant to be a partisan criticism. No matter your political leanings, opposition to Knowles-Nelson Stewardship has largely come from Republican legislators, including some on JFC.

One of the saddest narratives in recent movies was to watch the transformation of plucky and kind Anakin into the rage dominated Darth Vader. Mostly we care about the Stewardship Program but if legislators kill or maim it, the leaders of that effort will live in conservation infamy. We have to believe that the legislators opposing Stewardship have sincere concerns—cost of the program, care of the lands, etc. We have to reason with them respectfully, politely, honestly, and carefully so they renew a program appreciated by most Wisconsin residents and their constituents. Let's try to keep them from the Dark Side. But kindly, respectfully, with consideration.

Thanks,

Topf Wells, Madison Audubon board member