‘Ologists…
Those damned ‘ologists is a story of my making for about 50 years now.
It all started when I was in high school. My biology teacher, Mr. Harbaum, taught my fellow students and me about ‘ologists. He provided pages of paper listing the myriad types. Then he had us focus on a few and study them in detail. I don’t recall which ‘ologists I researched, but I’m sure the exercise was a factor in me becoming one.
So just what are “-ologists”. Well, as Mr. Harbaum explained to us, “-ology” is “the study of”, so an “ologist” is someone that focuses study on a particular branch of knowledge. TheFreeDictionary lists 375 such “study of’s”, but I’m sure there are hundreds, if not thousands, more. For example, I don’t see “blogologist” in their list.
After high school I went off to college to become a forester. A “forestologist” I suppose, although I’ve never actually heard that term. My first full-time job was working as a pedologist. A short-time later I became a hydrologist.
The year was 1979. My employer was the U.S. Forest Service.
Laws, laws, and more laws…
My early years with the Forest Service corresponded with the agency adjusting to implementation of new and amended federal environmental law. One new law was the 1970 National Environmental Policy Act or NEPA.
President Nixon signed the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) into law on January 1, 1970. Congress enacted NEPA to establish a national policy for the environment, provide for the establishment of the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), and for other purposes. NEPA was the first major environmental law in the United States and is often called the “Magna Carta” of Federal environmental laws. NEPA requires Federal agencies to assess the environmental effects of proposed major Federal actions prior to making decisions [emphasis added].
Another new law was the 1976 National Forest Management Act or NFMA.
The National Forest Management Act reorganized, expanded and otherwise amended the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974, which called for the management of renewable resources on national forest lands. The National Forest Management Act requires the Secretary of Agriculture to assess forest lands, develop a management program based on multiple-use, sustained-yield principles, and implement a resource management plan for each unit of the National Forest System [emphasis added]. It is the primary statute governing the administration of national forests.
Two new laws that suddenly had huge influence over management of around 150 national forests across the country. And one new hydrologist, with a wonderful bunch of co-workers, trying to figure out what it all meant.
Growing pains…
While these two new laws seemed like the “biggies” at the time, there were many other existing laws governing Forest Service activities that, because of these two, seemed to gain traction. Traction because NFMA required preparation of land management plans and NEPA required rigorous public involvement in the preparation of such plans.
And to comply with NFMA and NEPA, the agency had to demonstrate compliance with other existing laws like the Organic Act, Endangered Species Act, Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, Wilderness Act, and National Historic Preservation Act. Thus began the hiring of “ologists”. Hydrologists, wildlife biologists, fisheries biologists, archaeologists, soil scientists (pedologists), botanists, geologists, ad infinitum”ologists”.
The adjustment was a steep learning curve – for the agency and the general public. For decades prior, Forest Service employees were considered the “expert” in management of national forests (think Smokey Bear and Lassie). Minimal public involvement occurred (relatively speaking). For years staff carried forward with projects that, in their minds, met the “the greatest good for the greatest number” mantra.
Then, suddenly, there was a huge influx of citizens from across the country giving their “two-cents” worth on how a national forest, many had never even heard of, should be managed. All they needed was a piece of paper, an envelope, and a postage stamp. Local influence to projects was being challenged with “postage-stamp” influence. The “old” way of doing business was being met with the “new”. And to react to the “new” even more “ologists” were being hired.
Those damned ‘ologists…
Like with any significant change that has a steep learning curve, some people make mistakes, some feel insulted or slighted, others are indifferent. And I can remember there was a time period (perhaps it still exists but I’ve been retired for 6 years now), when us ‘ologists were commonly referred to by the “old” as “those damned ‘ologists” because we were getting in the way of something getting done. It hurt, but at the same time, I understood.
And that’s where communication becomes important. Where understanding becomes important. And compromise becomes important. Sure, there are plenty of over-zealous ‘ologists in the world, but there are plenty of over-zealous non-‘ologists too. But the majority, on both sides of the equation, are not. The majority are simply advocates for their charge in life, for how they “make their bacon”.
Which brings me to why I am writing this blog – the “virologist” and COVID-19. Our fellow citizens who study viruses. As we struggle through what these ‘ologists are calling a pandemic, we need to recognize mistakes will be made as more is learned. We need not be insulted or slighted by what they say or recommend. We certainly don’t need to be indifferent.
Rather, we need to recognize the importance of communication. We need to be understanding. We need to compromise.
So, until next time, be safe and work hard at being a social-distance’ologist. And please don’t say “those damned ‘ologists”.
In the meantime, now that I’m a retired hydrologist, I shall practice social distancing by honing my skills as a homebrewologist.
Cheers…