Page 14 - Sojourner Newsletter-SUMMER 2021

14 THE SOJOURNER
SECOND PLACE
Daniel T. A. Rice of Bellevue, Nebraska was awarded Second place and therefore will receive a $2000 and a National
Sojourners Plaque. Omaha Chapter #19 sponsored the student.

In the second of the three "Publius" letters attacking Samuel Chase of Maryland, Hamilton wrote, "There are seasons
in every country, when noise and impudence pass current for worth; and in popular commotions especially , the
clamour of interested and factious men are often mistaken for patriotism." In these letters Hamilton publicly shamed
Chase for using his position as a Member of Congress to personally profit from the Revolution without regard for the
damage it would do to the country and the Revolution. Certainly, we are living in difficult and turbulent times and it is
too easy to respond as Chase did - with self -interest and without a lasting vision for the future. Our public discourse
displays mindsets that are fixed if not entrenched.

One of the aspects of Conservation Biology I appreciate is the necessity for multiple interests to work together to
create and implement strategies that benefit communities and the nation as a whole. For example, the Conservation
Management Plan for the polar bear, recently developed by U.S. agencies, native communities, private organizations,
scientists and hunters, outlines actions to improve the polar bear's immediate chances of surviving in the wild. This
plan demonstrates what can happen when people drop a fix ed mindset and work together toward a goal unachievable
without cooperative action. Habitat conservation is not merely an environmental interest. Habitat conservation for
pollinators including bees and butterflies has a direct impact on agriculture. Habitat conservation for marsh lands has a
direct impact on our nation's fresh water supply. It is vital for us to provide habitats in order for our nation to thrive.

THIRD PLACE
Brodie B. Evans of Wormleysburg, Pennsylvania was awarded Third place and therefore will receive a $1000 and a
National Sojourners Plaque. Harrisburg Chapter #76 sponsored the student.