Weldon Bosworth, Ph.D. – Ecologist
Several years ago, while conducting underwater studies for the Seabrook Station in NH, we were involved in night dives quantifying the abundance of nocturnal critters. My dive partner and I noticed green iridescent eyes reflecting in our flashlight. Getting close we saw they belonged to a 40-50 pound Goosefish (also called a Monk Fish) who was lying on the bottom angling for an unsuspecting meal. It was mesmerized by the light so did not move.
I always wondered how that fleshy appendage above their mouth worked so I reached out and touched it. The next thing I knew my arm was in its mouth up to my elbow. Not sure who was more surprised. Fortunately, while its teeth are sharp, they are not long and I was wearing a 3/8” thick wetsuit so I only got a few scratches.
Geoff Jones – Professional Forester
In the summer of 1968, I was a member of a 4-person 1,200-mile kayak expedition down the Churchill River in northern Canada. Our goal: as a 3 rd year wildlife major, was to have a wilderness experience, see wildlife, and to retrace the footsteps of the early Voyageurs.
At the 1,000+ mile mark an accident swept us down a two-mile section of class 5 rapids. At the bottom, there were 3 boats, 2 people, and one paddle. Already, exhausted and malnourished, we lost most of our food and Glen. We had 150 miles to go. As I was searching for Glen, I spotted two molting Canada geese. They would provide essential nourishment over the next 3 days, as we tried to figure out how to finish our trip. I have forever had a very soft, reverent place in my heart for Canada geese that continues to this day. In 1966, fresh out of high school, my first boss, forester John C. Calhoun, told me if I really wanted to help wildlife, I should do one of three things: be a lawyer, a politician, or a forester. Thankfully, I chose the latter and have had a storied 47-year professional forestry career.
To learn more about the kayak story, go to UNH Alumni magazine website link for the 40 th anniversary commemorative article:
Jennifer Scott Beck – Wildlife Advocate
I’ll never forget coming face to face with a black bear mama one day as I started out the door. We looked at each other and froze — equally startled and equally fascinated. I spoke softly to her, perhaps to myself as well… She turned and walked down the steps and away. She would be back each year, bringing her cubs and cleaning the old honey off last season’s bee hives.
I’ve had the privilege to visit places like Africa, Australia and the Galapagos Islands where giant tortoises have been granted person-hood rights by the government of Ecuador. I share this planet, and my backyard in New Hampshire, with all sorts of amazing creatures who were here long before me. I don’t own this land of theirs, I steward it and hope that when I’m gone, they will still be here, and the next residents will understand how to respect these sentient beings and figure out how to co-exist.
Chris Schadler M.S. – Wild Canid Biologist
I won’t ever forget my first coyote encounter: It was dusk, and I was riding my bike into a stiff breeze and saw him about to cross the road, perhaps 50’ in front of me. I knew my time with him would be brief, so I softly braked and rolled into a fetal position on the other side of the road. Instead of bolting, he paused about 20’ from me – I could not believe it! I lay in the dirt emitting pup-like noises to hold his attention while I soaked in every feature: He was bigger than I expected, his eyes were yellow, his feet somewhat delicate, and his ears – pointed down at me – seemed huge. Maybe 10 seconds passed, but that encounter will last a lifetime, with many encounters following, all of which inspired my advocacy for the coyote. Afterward, he nonchalantly hopped over a log and vanished into the woods. I rolled over, howling with laughter.