I, as well, fully agree with what Buzz posted. Ron is a biologist, due to education and formalizing sound scientific methodologies that are reflected in his Master’s Thesis. However, agreeing with Buzz’s analogy, Sean McCallister is a coin collector, not a professional, more of a naturalist (but certainly no Niko Tinbergen). Also as a member of the Wildlife Society, I was 100% in disbelief and disagreement with Sean being awarded professional of the year. On par and equal on the stage of others who have contributed more to our field and conservation than a few Rons and ten Seans, by far. Therefore, our field is scattered with firms that have excellent naturalists, but non-scientists, contributing towards reports and documents that heavily impact either a species or industry without good sound science.
In addition, as also mentioned, someone really needs to investigate why MRB is the only firm allowed to train surveyors for both firms and agencies for murrelets and plovers. This has always seemed like a racket to me and many I know. How can someone who decides who get certified, also compete for contracts against those they do (or don’t) certify? How can the agencies comply with this? Someone needs to look deeper into whether there is a conflict of interest of MRB getting contracts with State Parks, while one of the higher-up biologists is “well-connected” to MRB.
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Posted by
Fellow Biologist
on 04/17/2012 at 9:56 PM
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Re: “The Yurok Grift”
I, as well, fully agree with what Buzz posted. Ron is a biologist, due to education and formalizing sound scientific methodologies that are reflected in his Master’s Thesis. However, agreeing with Buzz’s analogy, Sean McCallister is a coin collector, not a professional, more of a naturalist (but certainly no Niko Tinbergen). Also as a member of the Wildlife Society, I was 100% in disbelief and disagreement with Sean being awarded professional of the year. On par and equal on the stage of others who have contributed more to our field and conservation than a few Rons and ten Seans, by far. Therefore, our field is scattered with firms that have excellent naturalists, but non-scientists, contributing towards reports and documents that heavily impact either a species or industry without good sound science. In addition, as also mentioned, someone really needs to investigate why MRB is the only firm allowed to train surveyors for both firms and agencies for murrelets and plovers. This has always seemed like a racket to me and many I know. How can someone who decides who get certified, also compete for contracts against those they do (or don’t) certify? How can the agencies comply with this? Someone needs to look deeper into whether there is a conflict of interest of MRB getting contracts with State Parks, while one of the higher-up biologists is “well-connected” to MRB.