Blekksprut and Water

I needed to write a description for class. My favorite animal is an octopus, so I can describe it pretty well. At first, I thought I'd write about an octopus attacking a diver. When I watched videos for inspiration, I came across this one. It prompted me to write the scene below about the octopus returning to water. Pretty gross and fascinating, eh?

I also enjoyed looking up different names for the octopus. In Norwegian, the octopus is called Blekksprut. That name sounds pretty good to me, hence the title. I hope you enjoy!

Blekksprut and Water

I touch the water. As it laps my arm and weaves around my smallest suction cups, I become a bit excited. The liquid sounds the same as me now while I flick the surface. Navy wrinkles form around the tip of my tentacle with each new wave and reflect the sting of sunlight directly to my eyes. I keep stretching forward. I’m desperate.

If you follow that tentacle up, up along a slime layer becoming tacky, past wilting flower petal suction pads and a shoulder white with relaxation, you’ll find a clogged hole. It’s me of course, angry that my skin is lead over my lungs who now seem offended by air. Please come to me, fine oxygen, but I’m ignored by all but the drudgery of gravity and lack of water. Equally maddening to me, my solid skin is being tempered by the haughty sun and lukewarm water film upon the floor of this boat. I’m dying a desert death.

But keep following the red slime line of my arm. Just on the other side of the hole, you’ll notice the rest of my body. My suctions cups stick and release against the diamond textured steel like plungers, pushing me. I’m filtering through. Slowly. Squishy. Red and white.

                An unknown number of minutes ago, I wasn’t here.  I was below the boat. Calm. The sea floor felt me crawling like a breeze through your hair. Sometimes, I propelled through the turquoise waters jutted with sun rays, just enjoying myself. But they caught me in a rough-textured net and dumped me on a metal plate slicked with a sea water film. I knew I had to find the real water again.

I’m not meant to be flattened out like their snot on city sidewalks. I have no bones so water must keep my gelatinous form shapely. I need it. I want it. I smelled it.

                I slithered across their metal floor while they cackled and jived above my back. I smelt seaweed and salt wafting through a small hole, so I went for it. I’ll return to the ocean, I thought. No more scalded skin, no more soft body crushing, no more desperation for a drop back to water.

Now I’m stretching for sea spray.

Yes, I’m contorted. My legs touch my wrists while my face meets my armpits. But I have only one option. I keep seeping forward. Sliding. Inch by inch. Slowly. One tentacle submersing into sea.

Reindeer: “Cattle of the North”

I wrote this article for my school newspaper. It is about the Reindeer Research Program at UAF. The farm promotes research and agriculture, and it is relevant to resource management. Plus, the baby deer are so cute! Enjoy.

Reindeer: “Cattle of the North”

Three calves have already been born this season at the at the Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station farm, also known as the Reindeer Farm.

The first calf of the season and her mom live in a pen at the reindeer farm with other deer who have never calved before 2015. Jessica Herzog/Sun Star

They are part of UAF’s Reindeer Research Program, where the “cattle of the north,” as Darrell Blodgett, program data specialist  says, are housed and studied. The herd started when 20 deer from a Seward Peninsula were brought to UAF in 1997. It is now the program’s 15th year with calves, Blodgett said.

Reindeer are synonymous with Santa in the Lower 48, Blodgett said. But at UAF, the 74 reindeer enable agriculture, research about nutritional studies and meat quality and a relationship with natives on the Seward Peninsula.

The Reindeer Research Program is the only one of its kind in the world, George Aguiar, program research professional, said. People across the globe “tap into our database,” discovering the farm’s applied research, which starts with calves.

This is student-farmhand Haley Heniff’s second calving season on the farm. She is a junior studying wildlife biology at UAF.

“I feel like I have been trained to sense what to do and how to handle any calving situation,” she said. She has helped with several births, ensuring the best care for the deer.

“It’s easy to get attached to the deer, especially calves,” Heniff said. “I certainly have my favorites, but don’t tell them.“

Although Heniff gets attached to the animals, she “has no reservations” about reindeer research, she said.

Studying aspects of meat quality is vital when choosing a product to feed yourself and your family. The farm educates people about reindeer, which aren’t studied in many other places, she said.

Workers grow different grasses and experiment with food sources, exploring reindeer weight gain and food preference. Meat is presented to taste panels to create a satisfactory product, Blodgett said. Workers test satellite collars on the herd for use on the Seward Peninsula herds. The farm even made a portable slaughterhouse to encourage the presence of inspected reindeer slaughterhouses in Alaska, Blodgett said.

The research is crucial to promoting reindeer agriculture, especially for Alaskans and natives who own the Seward Peninsula herds, Blodgett said. The farm herd has been an indicator for the Seward Peninsula herds since the mid-1980s.

Applying research from the farm to the Seward Peninsula herds can help make reindeer production viable to benefit the natives, Aguiar said.

People from the farm used the mobile slaughterhouse to teach residents of Nome how to process their own animals, Blodgett said.

Without a slaughterhouse, people field-slaughter their deer on frozen ground. Meat is sold across Alaska, but outside of the state the meat is labeled “eat at your own risk,” Aguiar said.  This causes meat prices to decrease in value.

However, reindeer meat is very valuable if grown and marketed correctly.

“Reindeer can live where other livestock can’t,” Aguiar said, and reach market weight in 27 months. This makes them great livestock for Alaska and elsewhere.

The meat contains 25 percent protein and tastes sweeter than other meats.

“Its good quality threatens beef,” Aguiar said. People will pay $30 for prime cuts, but there are no deer auctions so putting a “tried and tested” auction price on the meat is challenging, he said.

To determine a base-line meat price,the farm will auction some non-producing steers during the summer of 2015 to see what people will pay for the meat, Blodgett said. 

The Reindeer Farm is “an animal production facility focusing on producing meat,” Aguiar said. They have and will continue to research and improve reindeer agriculture and production with their herd. Educating, encouraging and supporting reindeer producers benefits people. After realizing this, everything done at the farm makes sense, Aguiar said.

 *This article originally appeared on April 14, 2015 in the UAF Sun Star. Additional pictures were added. Thank you to Darrell Blodgett, George Aguiar, and Haley Heniff for your insight.

The North American Wildlife Conservation Model

This post is lengthy, but very important for everyone to be aware of. Maybe one resolution for 2015 could be learning about wildlife and ecosystems. They are the basis for enjoyment and opportunity. They affect us all regardless of age, location, or status. The North American Wildlife Conservation Model is the only one of its kind, helping sustain ecosystems and access to them. Unfortunately, people aren't aware of the model and its influence. Below you can read all about it!

Recognizing your personal role in maintaining the North American Wildlife Conservation Model is the best way to sustain ecosystems for society today and tomorrow. This model promotes varied wildlife use for every individual. It demands the scientific management to ensure ecosystem integrity. Furthermore, it enables powerful conservation efforts. Each person should learn about the model and make decisions to support it so the model remains effective.

Three key areas of impact could arise if the North American Model disappeared. These include the disappearance of the Public Trust Doctrine, suffering of ecosystem balance, and dismissal of synergized conservation efforts. Our best link to wildlife is the North American Model, but too few people realize its significance and the depth of these issues.

Diversity of wildlife use depends on the Public Trust Doctrine. Under the doctrine, wildlife protection is entrusted to the government, while the public owns the wildlife (Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation).  Everyone has the opportunity and responsibility to develop systems of wildlife conservation and use (Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation). One sad circumstance could result if this doctrine disappeared along with the North American Model.

The first impact is now introduced, implemented by certain organizations. They say animals can’t be owned because they are akin to humans (The Wildlife Society, 2010). But if animals aren’t owned, people no longer encounter and use wildlife to their enjoyment and benefit. Thus, the right of many individuals has become the privilege of a select few organizations

Another impact is the dismissal of scientific management. Researchers with years of knowledge and experience (Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation) use science so that wildlife “can be renewably and sustainably managed” (The Wildlife Society, 2010) and protected. But the organizations may try to manage wildlife without sound scientific principles. Possibly, they believe science is invasive or expensive. Perhaps they are simply ignorant to the success of scientific principles. Regardless, ecosystem health and wildlife fall short of full potential. For example, carrying capacity is ignored, leading to overpopulation, lack of food, disease, and ultimately the decimation of a once sound ecosystem. Science prevents ecosystem afflictions, but can’t be guaranteed without the model.

Lastly, the disappearance of the North American Model equates a dwindling of conservation efforts. Hunting and fishing are rights under the model and a large part of the conservation force. (Remember that hunting is the regulated and respectful harvest of animals, while poaching is criminal activity thriving on disrespect for the public and wildlife). In 2010, 749 million dollars from gun and ammunition taxes arrived at state wildlife agencies (Piccione, 2012). This money improves habitat and helps game wardens manage ecosystems. Furthermore, organizations like Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Pheasants Forever, and Ducks Unlimited are overwhelmingly comprised of hunters and exhibit impressive impact. Hunting is a massive move for conservation, an activity that requires collaborative effort from all of us.

Without the North American Model, people are unable to use their wildlife so they become unconcerned. Thus, they leave conservation efforts up to organizations and disregard public force.  But conservation depends on all of our ideas, efforts, and funding. It is not a concept accomplished by one organization.

With such impactful problems potentially occurring, we may ponder their causes. One reason is a lack of knowledge. People don’t learn about their ecosystems and managing them with proven biological principles. Furthermore, people possess no personal stance. They don’t hunt or view themselves as “outdoorsy” so they never considered the meaning of animals. These people won’t show wildlife significant support due to indifference. Lastly, insufficient research exists pertaining to the organizations people choose to support. People don’t know what the organization truly believes, choosing to focus on the poster message and not read between the lines. Unknowingly, they weaken the model through their organizational support. These are the main causes of the disappearance of the North American Model.

Despite the numerous issues we and our ecosystems could face, we can take steps to maintain what is rightfully ours. Decide why you care about wildlife and your uses for wildlife. Know what the model is and why the doctrine, science, and hunting make it work. Devote time to researching your local ecosystems. All of this knowledge clarifies the model so you can make educated choices. We must use this knowledge to take action when the time arises.

Tomorrow, an organization might come to your door. For example, PETA proclaims the National Audubon Society regards animals as “resources to be harvested or pests to be eliminated” (PETA). Yet upon visiting the Audubon website, you find that Audubon is partnering with landowners to ensure farm land works for birds, people, and communities (The National Audubon Society). You must decide which organization deserves your support based on your knowledge, research, and stance. This is crucial due to the amount of control organizations potentially have.

Organizations attempt to promote their agendas through messages, projects, and even laws. New laws control wildlife use and management; either enhancing or deteriorating the model. The model links you to wildlife, so know your stance and vote accordingly. Imagine if you can’t try fishing because you don’t own the wildlife. Or you visit a national park and don’t see nearly as many animals as you anticipated because the ecosystem wasn’t scientifically managed. These are unfortunate consequences prevented by proper organization support and environmental voting decisions.

Problems affecting both people and wildlife occur if the North American Wildlife Conservation Model disappears. These happen because of a loss of ecosystem knowledge, personal stance, and organization research. But you can devote time to learning and use your knowledge to support organizations and vote for laws that keep the North American Model alive. The model facilitates experience, use, and enjoyment wildlife for every generation. “The model is second to none and the most democratic and sustainable system the world has ever seen” (Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation). Do your part to keep the model alive so society and wildlife benefit in the best ways possible today and tomorrow.

by Jessica Herzog

A moose in Denali National Park

References

The National Audubon Society. Putting working lands to work for birds & people. Retrieved from http://conservation.audubon.org/putting-working-lands-work-birds-people-2

PETA. Are there wildlife organizations that I should be concerned about supporting? [FAQ page] Retrieved from http://www.peta.org/about-peta/faq/are-there-wildlife-organizations-that-i-should-be-concerned-about-supporting/#ixzz3KCOdVjsi  

Piccione, M. (2012, February 1). How hunting helps wildlife. Retrieved from http://dailycaller.com/2012/02/01/how-hunting-helps-wildlife/  

Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. The north American wildlife conservation model. Retrieved from http://www.rmef.org/Conservation/HuntingIsConservation/NorthAmericanWildlifeConservationModel.aspx

The Wildlife Society. (2010, September). The public trust doctrine: Implications for wildlife management and conservation in the united states and Canada. Retrieved from http://www.fw.msu.edu/documents/ptd_10-1.pdf  

Starring: Montana's Country Brass!

This is Montana's Country Brass, also known as Brass and my favorite horse. Being away from home means that I don't get to see him, but I took these pictures back in August before I moved so I can remember his traits. 

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Brass is a silvery grey color that changes every year.

He will smell your breath to say hello.

His ears flick in the direction of  seemingly soundless noises.

His mane is always tangled because he loves rolling in the dirt.

In Brass' eyes, I see a multitude of reflections.

On stripped hooves, he meanders away.

Brass brought me to amazing mountain lakes, taught me to be assertive, and entertains me whenever I spend time with him. I can't wait to visit home and see him again!