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07/19/2017 07:54 AMMaster wildlife conservationist Paul Colburn will be coming to Chester on Monday, July 24, to give a presentation on Connecticut’s natural history and also discuss the current state of the state’s wildlife.
“This is actually a natural history going back to 1650. It gives the history of wildlife in the state and human interplay with it,” said Colburn. “It helps people to understand what is going on, how we’ve affected different species, what DEEP [Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection] does, and why hunting can be good.”
As a master wildlife conservationist, Colburn is a volunteer who completed the Master Wildlife Conservationist Program through DEEP’s Division of Wildlife, which trains volunteers in natural history, wildlife management, the history of environmentalism, and habitat maintenance. They also learn about specific species in sessions taught by the biologists researching those species.
DEEP conducts offers the program twice a year, with classes, two days a week for three months. Graduates of the program go on to volunteer in a variety of ways, whether educating others, or assisting with research.
“I have a passion for the outdoors,” said Colburn. “When I retired, I was lucky enough to get into the program and graduate from it. When I give these presentations, there is a tremendous about of interest in them. There are usually 50 to 100 or more people who attend, and a wide variety of ages. I volunteer because there is a pent-up demand to know more about wildlife history and the issues.”
Colburn has previously given a presentation in Chester on black bears, and also speaks about how to minimize conflict between humans and species such as the bears and coyote. He is trained to speak about not only the history of wildlife in the state, but the ways in which humans might need to alter behavior to help, or minimize conflict with certain species, as well as on how to make more welcoming habitats, and also ways that others with an interest might get involved with DEEP as volunteers.
In addition to his speaking commitments, Colburn has volunteered to assist with woodcock and black bear research, and will participate in bobcat research this September.
“The volunteer program is important. DEEP doesn’t have the staffing anymore. They used to do a lot, but couldn’t keep up,” said Colburn. “Education, assisting biologist researching species, habitat restoration; there are a lot of ways to get involved.
“I don’t have a professional background in this. I was in technology,” said Colburn. “I had a knack for communicating and presenting. I do a lot of supplemental reading and stay in touch with the biologists.”
As well as encouraging others to get involved if they have an interest, Colburn asks attendees to consider sharing what they learn with five other people, to spread the information further.
“A lot of wildlife issues are well-publicized, but a lot of people don’t understand how important the issues are,” said Colburn.
Wildlife and Connecticut’s Changing Landscape, a talk by Paul Colburn, is on Monday, July 24 at 7 p.m. at the Town Hall in Chester. It is free to the public. For more information, call the Chester Public Library at 860-526-0018.