After 40 years of greatly rewarding work, I retired as a public lands conservation manager. My career spanned municipal, state, and federal organizations. My first "paying" professional job was in Everglades National Park in 1976. I was successful in petitioning the USFWS to add three unique Texas species via the Endangered Species Act. In retirement, I have had the benefit to travel around the world (observing animals ranging from Tasmanian devils to Mongolian golden-eagles). I always return home with a deep appreciation of the country that I live in... and the deep desire to promote and protect its bountiful natural resources.