NJAS Opinion: August, 2004

Ted Korth, Director of Policy

The NJAS advocate by literary equation:

"That land is a community is a basic concept of ecology, but that land is to be loved and respected is an extension of ethics."  (Aldo Leopold)

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"Every individual matters.  Every individual has a role to play.  Every individual makes a difference." (Jane Goodall)

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"The good Earth – we could have saved it, but we were too damn cheap and lazy." (Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.)

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You

Wrongly or not, I am guessing that our readers share a common ecological ethic, understand our social responsibility, and know when not to be cheap or lazy.  In fact, that you are an NJAS member proves your ethic, and that you support NJAS's initiatives confirms that you are socially responsible.  We will not let you be lazy.

In fact, NJAS was formed on the very premise that the status quo may not always result in the best ecological outcome.  More than one hundred years ago persons concerned with the impact that the millenary industry was having organized to protect the wading bird population.  Active, vocal and informed, these concerned citizens – a/k/a: rabble-rousers, discontents, busy bodies, environmentalists – laid the foundation for today's NJAS.  (If you are not comfortable with being labeled a rabble rouser or the like, remember back two hundred and thirty-some years to the roomful of revolutionaries who created what became the United States of America.)

To make it easier for you to promote your ecological ethic, NJAS will be implementing a new tool this Fall  which we hope will increase your access to the appointed and elected officials whose decisions affect conservation, and empower you to make their voice heard and your opinions known.

The tool, called "Get Active", is a secure, interactive web based program which will allow NJAS to provide its members with timely information on things such as NJAS programs, particular projects, tours, upcoming center events, even - near and dear to us all – bird sightings.  Get Active will also allow each one of you to directly weigh-in on issues important to NJAS.  With a "click-of-the-mouse" you will be able to send e-mails, facsimiles or letters directly to your representatives and government agencies.  You will be able to selectively join petitions and access correspondence which you may customize before use.

Now, for those of you who discount the value of targeted correspondence, let me explain why your use of this service matters to you and to NJAS: NJAS does not provide campaign funding or endorse political candidates.  Bottom line: when our interests compete against other interests - conservation of land and water resources vs. development of forest lands for example – they do so without money or votes.  Without money or votes, our point of view does not automatically garner a great interest from lawmakers.  

What does make NJAS opinion count?  Membership!  When lawmakers see that NJAS members are involved, that they are aware of an issue and expect due representation, they are more likely to listen.     

Let’s take an example – a quasi-hypothetical:  Let’s say there have been more and more un-permitted wetland fills in Cape May County.  NJAS played a key role in the passage of the Freshwater Wetlands Protection Act and wetlands provide critical habitat for many rare and endangered wildlife species.  A large portion of the remaining space in Cape May is wet, and so is difficult to develop.  However, because the budget for enforcement at DEP is low, and post violation permits are favored, one might be better off illegally filling a wetland and risking an enforcement action than in seeking a permit in the first place.

Now let’s say NJAS goes to Trenton with a request that post-violation permits not be allowed, and that the penalties for illegal wetland fills be increased.  Our interest in deterring illegal wetland fills will compete against the interest of those who would prefer lax enforcement and minimal penalties.  Absent the ability to show that our interest is backed by thousands of our members, there will be little incentive for an elected official to challenge the status quo.

NJAS was founded by be people who challenged the status quo and prevented the loss of our wading bird population.  True to its heritage of providing the resources for citizens to have an informed and active role in conservation issues, New Jersey Audubon provides substantial ecological education opportunities, conducts unique research and produces valuable findings, and continues to promote the conservation of our wildlife and natural resources. 

We hope each of you will help continue the NJAS tradition of providing an informed voice for the ecology around us.  For without your efforts, ours mean little.  Help us make your voice be heard.  Please forward your e-mail address to hq@njaudubon.org with the message, "Please send me information about subscribing to Get Active" and you will be sent instructions on how to participate in this new and powerful tool.