Nebraskaland

November 2021 • Nebraskaland 21 sk yourself what kind of world you want to live in and leave for your kids," said Director Jim Douglas, a statement that says so much about what he has accomplished during his 47 years in conservation. For the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, he has served in a variety of roles, including the district supervisor and chief of the Resources Services Division, chief of the Wildlife Division and deputy director of Administration. His last nine years were served as the agency's director, where his contributions locally and nationally were immense. Originally from Illinois, Jim's relationship with the natural world came early. He often tells a story from his childhood that mirrors his future work in conservation. "I spent a lot of time in the woods and the creeks. But there was a rule; until I was a certain age, I could only go to the first creek. There were three parallel creeks that were about a quarter mile apart, so I could go down into the first creek when I was 6 years old. But I had to be 8 or 9 before I could go to the second creek — older, wiser. I couldn't go to the third creek until I was about 12. And after I made it to the third creek and saw all of its wonders, one of my older brothers said, "Well, that's nothing. If you keep going, there's a river." Jim's passion for natural resources fueled his long, distinguished career in conservation. "I have always appreciated how Jim was able to look down the road amongst the traffic weaving in and out to try to proactively address the next wildlife resource challenge," said Ritch Nelson, state wildlife biologist and forester for the Nebraska-Natural Resources Conservation Service. "His work in regard to forming the Nebraska Bird Partnership in the early 2000's is a good example among many such efforts by Jim." Partnerships and servitude have long been an excellent way to describe Jim's efforts in conservation. He has served on the Federal Aid Joint Task Force, the Monarch Joint Venture Steering Committee and the National Bobwhite Conservation Initiative. He chaired AFWA's Agricultural Conservation Committee and the Wildlife Resource Policy Committee, and has served on the Executive Committee, Bird Conservation Committee and the Fish & Wildlife Health Committee, among others. "Jim Douglas is the consummate professional, and his contributions to the work of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, on national policy, are countless," said Ron Regan, executive director of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. "His years of experience as a leader and his consistent, thoughtful and wise counsel have made him one of our 'go to' directors for managing the complex conservation issues of our day. He brings the same passion to interactions with peers and colleagues, at a personal scale, all across the country." For Douglas, it is those peers and colleagues — landowners, conservationists, and fish and wildlife staff here and across the country — who make the difference. "I have been blessed to work with great commissioners and talented, dedicated staff," Douglas added. "I recognize our greatest strengths are not our personal achievements; they are our successful collaborations," Douglas said. "It takes working together to care for our fish, wildlife, parklands and natural resources, and I know my contributions will be continued and built upon by others who also want to see healthy lands, wildlife and waters available for generations to come. "That, I believe, is the greatest gift we can give to future generations." N After 47 years of service, including nine years serving as director of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Jim Douglas is retiring. He has celebrated a lifetime of conservation accomplishments. Honoring a Conservation Legend Jim Douglas, director of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission from 2012 until his retirement this month, has had a lifelong love of conservation and the outdoors. Director Douglas speaks at the Fort Robinson State Park 1891 Officers Quarters Dedication in June 2021. JUSTIN HAAG, NEBRASKALAND "A

• Cover