Lessons From Leopold

Dogmatic Statements

BY STEVE NELLE

Photo Courtesy of the Aldo Leopold Foundation and University of Wisconsin-Madison Archives

“I have stated that any system of grazing, no matter how conservative, induces erosion. The proof of this statement... may be seen almost anywhere in the hills.” Aldo Leopold, 1921

It is usually unwise to make bold, rigid statements about complex things. Natural resources and their management are unbelievably intricate and new information is being discovered almost daily. We are still learning a lot even 100 years after Leopold made his confident but incorrect statement.

We should temper everything we read or hear within the context in which it was delivered and with the realization that even the best scientists and land managers are prone to errors and misunderstandings. A statement delivered as black and white will almost always prove to be some shade of gray when more carefully examined and when the specific setting is considered.

Leopold’s statement was based on his observations at the Prescott National Forest in central Arizona. Rough topography, shallow soil, low rainfall, and limited natural water made it a challenging place to graze.

In fairness to Leopold, what he saw at that time and place led him to conclude that any kind of grazing inevitably led to soil erosion. From where he stood, the statement seemed true. Everywhere he looked, he could see signs of erosion on hillsides that were grazed too short. His mistake was positioning the proclamation as if it applied universally.

We should be slow to accept oversimplified statements about natural resource management and we should be quick to hear other perspectives that may shed better or additional light. While we may hold to our theories or the theories of others, we should hold them loosely enough that we are able to see when they are flawed or incomplete. The most dangerous person in natural resource management is the one who confidently asserts to have the right answers.

It is a mistake to put any person on a pedestal and automatically embrace without question what he or she says. We admire and respect Aldo Leopold for his insights into ecology and land management. But like the rest of us, he sometimes made statements that later proved not to be completely true.

Early in his career, Leopold made other dogmatic declarations in support of predator eradication. He aggressively promoted intensive control of coyotes, wolves, and mountain lions in the Southwest, knowing it would mean more big game to hunt. What he failed to recognize initially is that game populations unchecked by predators could—and would—destroy their own habitat.

He was young, enthusiastic and too full of confidence. His enthusiasm was not yet backed up by the wisdom of experience or the ability to see the big picture. Like many of us, as he matured, he was less likely to make brash, universal proclamations. With age should come the wisdom to temper what we say.

We can’t be too hard on Leopold because most of us have also embraced flawed thinking. In our day we have heard and probably adopted certain dogmatic ideas which later proved faulty.

Here are some examples: Spikes and other “inferior bucks” should be culled to improve antler genetics. Since there is an 80% turnover of quail every year, hunters may as well harvest the “doomed surplus” or it will die of natural causes. Cedar and mesquite suck unusually large amounts of water and the widespread control of these brush species will dramatically improve our water supplies.

When we make bold statements, we should be careful to qualify what we say and state the conditions under which we believe the statement is true. A little bit of humility goes a long way when we think we have some new revelation. It is wise to acknowledge, “This is what seems to be true based on our current understanding.” The test of time and further scrutiny will determine whether our beliefs stand, fall, or need to be modified.

With the complexities of natural resource management, it is frustrating to realize that the “right answers” sometimes change over time. One thing that helps us navigate these complexities and frustrations is the resolve to stay focused on the perspective of strong and sustaining stewardship.

WRITER’S NOTE: Aldo Leopold (1887-1948) is considered the father of modern wildlife management. This bi-monthly column will feature Leopold's thought-provoking philosophies as well as commentary.