Becoming a Change Agent

After seeing numerous social media posts following the election, I thought it might be a good time to add my thoughts on how to become a change agent in the new government. The election is over and many people are happy with the results, many are not. One thing that must be remembered though, the government is not just one man. There are three branches of government, 100 senators, 435 congressmen, plus countless staff, lobbyists, advisors, and of course millions of “We the People.” There are liberals, conservatives, extremists, opportunists, and even outright imposters in every branch of the government, all doing what they believe is best for themselves and their constituents.

The question is, how can each of us do our part to assure that our own small voice is heard. After reading a few posts in my social media news feeds, I can tell you with certainty how not to become a change agent for good. Posting condescending and hateful memes is definitely not the way to become an effective voice for change. Insulting your friend’s and neighbor’s beliefs, faith, patriotism, and world view is not going to change anyone’s opinion. It will only end relationships that might be important to you someday. They will mute you, block you and unfriend you until you are speaking only to people who believe the way you do. While it may be gratifying to read all the comments supporting your position, your voice for real influence will be lost and you will just be preaching to your own choir. Societal change starts with capturing the hearts and minds of people close to you, rather than alienating them.

However, if you really want to have a voice and become an effective influencer, try directing respectful and thoughtful comments toward the people in power who can actually bring about change. Write to your congressmen and women and express your opinions and beliefs. Provide them with legitimate studies by qualified organizations if you can. Contribute money or join groups and clubs that believe what you do. I myself am a longtime member of the Sierra Club, because they support many causes I believe in and actually have the power and financing to change government policy. I support Defenders of Wildlife for their steadfast advocacy of our furry wild friends.

You can write your own blog, or start your own YouTube channel where you can voice your opinion backed by facts and studies. If you have the time and the means, become a lobbyist if that’s what you think might work. If you have the ability, write a book as I have done with my wildlife series of novels about saving wolves and wild horses.

I have to admit, I myself am extremely concerned about how wildlife policy might be affected by the new administration. Naturally I will continue to voice my opinion, backed by facts and studies in my weekly blog posts. In addition I will be writing to my representatives, contacts at U.S. Fish and Wildlife, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, and even the new president. As you probably all know, wildlife advocacy is my thing so I am very concerned about the character of the new Secretary of Interior. It is my hope that through our input, the new administration will choose one that will represent all interested parties, and not just the hunting and ranching lobbies.

I would like to bring about a paradigm shift in environmental policy that is centered around the value of parks and wildlife, and revenue raised through ecotourism. I would like to see the creation of a culture of life, and a rejection of the culture of death that has long been celebrated by the hunting and trapping lobby. I’m sure each of you has your own goals and ideals and I encourage you to become effective change agents going forward.