I Am Conservation

“At 86 years of age, Edith Johnson is one of the most energetic people I know,” said John Pinkowski, Missouri Department of Conservation private land conservationist. Pinkowski works with Johnson to improve habitat on her property, including native grass and wildflower plantings, as well as dropping trees along fencelines to improve cover habitat for edge species like quail. “Quail is a favorite topic with Edith,” said Pinkowski. She is an active member of the Clark County Quail Forever Chapter. She is also an avid bird watcher. “I probably spend more money on bird food than I do on my groceries,” said Johnson. Pinkowski said that Johnson’s views on conservation are simple. She hates to see waste in any form. “We need to think of future generations, not just the ‘what’s in it for me’ attitude,” said Johnson. “I don’t like to do many public presentations, but if I sit down with a group of people, I like to bring up important topics for the group to discuss. That’s how all good change takes place. We really need to get the word out about how important it is to manage our timber. I’ve done the work on my own farm and have seen the benefits.” Pinkowski finds this attitude very gratifying. “Working closely with landowners and seeing many of them develop a deep love for conservation is one of the great joys of all private land conservationists.”

—photograph by Noppadol Paothong