NEBRASKAland Magazine is dedicated to outstanding photography and informative writing with an engaging mix of articles and photos highlighting Nebraska’s outdoor activities, parklands, wildlife, history and people.
Issue link: https://mag.outdoornebraska.gov/i/377644
learned more about Nebraska, traveling around the state stocking fish. I can't remember actually charting a course, but I did want to move into different elements of the agency as time moved on. I went into habitat management, then later on into wildlife management, and moved east toward the headquarters between 1977-78. Once I got there and became more familiar with all the operations of the agency and accomplishments that occur because of so many great people, I became even more aware of how dedicated the Commission employees are. There was something about that – it made me want to do my best. It seems as if you do your best, you end up with opportunities to take on other responsibilities and I've been fortunate in that regard. Later on, I was asked by Director Rex Amack to combine the two divisions of wildlife and resource services and create a plan for the efficient implementation of that combination, and essentially manage both of those as one. It became the new wildlife division in 1995. I decided for sure that I needed some additional training and education to be the most effective administrator that I could be, and I went back to school every Saturday for two years at Bellevue University to receive my Master's degree in management. And that was, from my viewpoint, extremely valuable when I was named Deputy Director in 2010 and became Director in 2012. I think that most of the changes in the agency reflect our response to changes in society. Of course, one of the big challenges we have is making sure people are still thinking about getting outdoors and what effect they can have on conservation, the landscape, fish and wildlife. All of the other activities available to people with electronic technology have caused us to change our programing and emphasize some things more than we did at one point in time. Now we think about messaging more in different venues and fashions, offering more hands-on training, outdoor experiences and opportunities, and think more about availability and access to the outdoors, especially for young people. Well, there is so much. When we reorganized and combined the wildlife and resource services divisions, we greatly enhanced our capabilities to interact with private landowners on the landscape and to improve wildlife habitat. We put a lot of boots on the ground, to go out and be part of the agricultural community, to work with landowners and organizations to try to influence peoples' decisions to engage in wildlife-friendly practices on the landscape. Having a major part in that initiative is very gratifying to me. I am also pleased to have been a part of the success of our big game program for sheep, elk and deer. And I'm feeling good about things that are happening right now. We're putting more emphasis on professional and efficient communications, we've changed the way that we identify, hire and train conservation officers, and we've created an integrated workforce mentality where there is a lot more cross-functional training and activity between divisions. We've done a major assessment of the needs of our park system and sought additional resources. We have a plan to reorganize our parks division to bring consistency in regards to management and budgeting. We are also developing more employee-friendly practices and opportunities for engagement, including a new employee orientation program that involves getting some new employees out to meet people and see the great assets of our state. I think most people actually have the right motivations. Sometimes, they just don't know exactly what to do, or they don't realize that they need to do something. Ask yourself what kind of world you want to live in and leave for your kids. Is it a world that still has areas of natural beauty? Of course you'd say yes to clean air, fresh water, to preserving some of the natural landscape and rivers. How about opportunities to enjoy our outdoors? If you really want to help, we'll certainly help you find a way. Become a volunteer for us. Kids have just as much fun fishing today as they did 40 years ago and many go for the first time through our volunteer program. You don't have to be the leader of the state fish, game and park agency to do something about conservation, just be cognizant, do what you can and also support those whose job and mission it is to do something about it every day. ■ OCTOBER 2014 • NEBRASKAland 27 Jim and cousin Kevin hold matching pellet guns on Christmas in 1961. I think th Q: Obviously, you've seen a lot of changes. What is one of the most notable that you've witnessed? We We Well ll the Q: What are some of the most memorable experiences or moments in those last 40 years? Q: You've maintained a strong commitment to conservation in your life. How do you inspire others to care for the natural resources? l N a f a b in in in th th t on on m in in in an an an a th th th t e 19 19 19 h th th t e fa fa fam op op op ope d Jim and c d ousin in Kev Kev Kevin in in hol hol hol hold d a t 1 t f o Ji d i K i h l h l h ld Jim's father Newt came to Nebraska for fishing and hunting trips every year for nearly 40 years.